Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to hit out at President Joe Biden and others in an early Friday morning video, saying that the embattled country has been "left alone" to defend itself against invading Russian forces.
What are the details?
In recorded remarks, Zelenskyy said that Western allies are not doing enough to help Ukraine stop Russian aggression amid the deadly invasion.
“This morning, we are defending our country alone,” Zelenskyy lamented. “Just like yesterday, the most powerful country in the world looked on from a distance. Russia was hit with sanctions yesterday, but these are not enough to get these foreign troops off our soil. Only through solidarity and determination can this be achieved.”
"Who is ready to fight with us?" he asked. "Honestly, I do not see such. Who is ready to guarantee Ukraine's accession to NATO? ... Today we heard from Moscow that they still want to talk. They want to talk about Ukraine's neutral status. I tell all the partners of our state: Now is an important moment — the fate of our country is being decided. I ask them: Are you with us? They answer that they are with us. But they are not ready to take us to the Alliance."
He continued, "Today, I asked the twenty-seven leaders of Europe whether Ukraine will be in NATO. I asked directly. Everyone is afraid. They do not answer."
In the video, Zelenskyy also added that he and the Ukrainian citizens appreciate the outpouring of support from Russian citizens who took to St. Petersburg to protest against the country's invasion.
"To all the citizens of the Russian Federation who went out to protest, I want to say: We see you,” he said. “This means you heard us. This means you are starting to believe us. Fight for us, fight against the war.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, Zelenskyy said that Russia's attacks on civilians will not be forgiven.
"The enemy strikes not only at military facilities, as it claims, but also at civilians. They kill people and turn peaceful cities into military targets. This is vile and will never be forgiven.
What else?
Biden on Thursday said that U.S. troops would not be sent to Ukraine, but would instead defend NATO member states that may be impacted by the aggression.
"Our forces are not and will not be engaged in the conflict with Russia in Ukraine," Biden said in remarks on the ongoing invasion. "Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine, but to defend our NATO allies."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday added that the bloc had no plans to send troops to engage in the conflict.
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