Ukraine's President Zelensky to BBC: Blood money being paid for Russian oil
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused European countries that continue to buy Russian oil of "earning their money in other people's blood".
In an interview with the BBC, President Zelensky singled out Germany and Hungary, accusing them of blocking efforts to embargo energy sales, from which Russia stands to make up to £250bn ($326bn) this year.
There has been a growing frustration among Ukraine's leadership with Berlin, which has backed some sanctions against Russia but so far resisted calls to back tougher action on oil sales.
"Some of our friends and partners understand that it is a different time now, that it is no longer an issue of business and money," Mr Zelensky told the BBC from his situation room in Kyiv on Thursday. "That it is an issue of survival."
The president also reiterated calls for more weapons to be supplied to Ukraine, saying they were not getting supplies fast enough to fend off Russia's assault.
"The United States, the United Kingdom, some European countries - they are trying to help and are helping," he said. "But still we need it sooner, sooner and faster. The key word is now."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused European countries that continue to buy Russian oil of "earning their money in other people's blood".
In an interview with the BBC, President Zelensky singled out Germany and Hungary, accusing them of blocking efforts to embargo energy sales, from which Russia stands to make up to £250bn ($326bn) this year.
There has been a growing frustration among Ukraine's leadership with Berlin, which has backed some sanctions against Russia but so far resisted calls to back tougher action on oil sales.
"Some of our friends and partners understand that it is a different time now, that it is no longer an issue of business and money," Mr Zelensky told the BBC from his situation room in Kyiv on Thursday. "That it is an issue of survival."
The president also reiterated calls for more weapons to be supplied to Ukraine, saying they were not getting supplies fast enough to fend off Russia's assault.
"The United States, the United Kingdom, some European countries - they are trying to help and are helping," he said. "But still we need it sooner, sooner and faster. The key word is now."
Image caption,
The Ukrainian leader (R) said his country still desperately needed weapons from the West
Russian troops have in recent weeks pulled back from around Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other central and northern parts of the country - apparently abandoning an attempt to seize all of Ukraine by force.
But there are fears now of a bloody and protracted conflict in the east and south of the country, as Russian President Vladimir Putin refocuses his military campaign there in an effort to seize more territory.
The southern port city of Mariupol - a strategic goal for President Putin - has already been devastated by weeks of Russian artillery bombardment.
President Zelensky told the BBC he thought tens of thousands may have been killed in the city.
"We also have information that as well as those tens of thousands of dead, many have disappeared," he said. "We know their documents have been replaced, they were given Russian passports and taken deep into Russia - some to camps, some to other cities. No one knows what is happening to those people. No one knows how many have been killed."
The Ukrainian leader (R) said his country still desperately needed weapons from the West
Russian troops have in recent weeks pulled back from around Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other central and northern parts of the country - apparently abandoning an attempt to seize all of Ukraine by force.
But there are fears now of a bloody and protracted conflict in the east and south of the country, as Russian President Vladimir Putin refocuses his military campaign there in an effort to seize more territory.
The southern port city of Mariupol - a strategic goal for President Putin - has already been devastated by weeks of Russian artillery bombardment.
President Zelensky told the BBC he thought tens of thousands may have been killed in the city.
"We also have information that as well as those tens of thousands of dead, many have disappeared," he said. "We know their documents have been replaced, they were given Russian passports and taken deep into Russia - some to camps, some to other cities. No one knows what is happening to those people. No one knows how many have been killed."
IMAGE SOURCE,REUTERSImage caption,
President Zelensky said 95% of buildings had been destroyed in Mariupol, one of Ukraine's biggest cities
Mr Zelensky said the atrocities apparently committed by Russian troops in Mariupol, and in the Kyiv suburbs of Bucha and Borodyanka, had further narrowed the possibility of peace talks with the Russians.
Hundreds of dead have been found in Bucha since it was taken back by Ukrainian forces a little over a week ago, including civilians who were found shot in the head with their hands tied behind their backs, as well as widespread reports of sexual violence.
"Bucha is in the process of closing [the possibilities of peace talks]," President Zelensky said. "It's not about me - it's about Russia. They will not have many more chances to speak with us."
He said he had "experienced the entire spectrum of emotions" when he visited Bucha last week, but ended the day with "nothing but hatred towards the Russian military". He accused President Putin and the rest of the Russian army "from top to bottom" of being "war criminals".
President Zelensky said 95% of buildings had been destroyed in Mariupol, one of Ukraine's biggest cities
Mr Zelensky said the atrocities apparently committed by Russian troops in Mariupol, and in the Kyiv suburbs of Bucha and Borodyanka, had further narrowed the possibility of peace talks with the Russians.
Hundreds of dead have been found in Bucha since it was taken back by Ukrainian forces a little over a week ago, including civilians who were found shot in the head with their hands tied behind their backs, as well as widespread reports of sexual violence.
"Bucha is in the process of closing [the possibilities of peace talks]," President Zelensky said. "It's not about me - it's about Russia. They will not have many more chances to speak with us."
He said he had "experienced the entire spectrum of emotions" when he visited Bucha last week, but ended the day with "nothing but hatred towards the Russian military". He accused President Putin and the rest of the Russian army "from top to bottom" of being "war criminals".
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGESImage caption,
President Zelensky (seen here in the centre without a helmet) visited the town of Bucha earlier this month
Mr Zelensky defended his leadership in the run-up to the Russian invasion that began in February, when his government urged the Ukrainian people to remain calm.
He said the government had been working in the background to agree deals for weapons and supplies, as well as focusing on avoiding panic that could trigger a run on the banks and destabilise Ukraine's economy.
"That was what Russia - and not just Russia - wanted, but we didn't let that happen," he said. "But we did not expect the full-scale invasion when it happened."
Ukraine is now facing a renewed attack in the east and south as Russia attempts to carve off more territory, following its 2014 annexation of Crimea.
President Zelensky said the east now represented the "most difficult situation" for Ukraine's armed forces, "but this is where our most powerful units are concentrated".
"They can destroy us, but we will answer; they can kill but they will also die," he said. "I can't understand for what - I can't understand why they came."
President Zelensky (seen here in the centre without a helmet) visited the town of Bucha earlier this month
Mr Zelensky defended his leadership in the run-up to the Russian invasion that began in February, when his government urged the Ukrainian people to remain calm.
He said the government had been working in the background to agree deals for weapons and supplies, as well as focusing on avoiding panic that could trigger a run on the banks and destabilise Ukraine's economy.
"That was what Russia - and not just Russia - wanted, but we didn't let that happen," he said. "But we did not expect the full-scale invasion when it happened."
Ukraine is now facing a renewed attack in the east and south as Russia attempts to carve off more territory, following its 2014 annexation of Crimea.
President Zelensky said the east now represented the "most difficult situation" for Ukraine's armed forces, "but this is where our most powerful units are concentrated".
"They can destroy us, but we will answer; they can kill but they will also die," he said. "I can't understand for what - I can't understand why they came."
Blood money is true, but Europe is in a bind.
ReplyDeleteThey need the gas and , to a lesser extent , the oil. Alternative supplies can be worked out, but it takes time.
Meanwhile, Europe is essentially paying for Putin's aggression against Ukraine.
The sinking of the Russian Navy Heavy Cruiser Moskva is big black eye for Russia.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all...what a name... Moskva !!!
The ship is dated, but nevertheless a powerful ship , designed and jam-packed with weapons and equipment to fight the US Navy.
If it is true it got sunk by puny Ukraine...it is a big shame.
If it sank by internal fire... it says a huge amount about the Russian Navy's damage control , or lack of.
On board fires happen, but a fully crewed and operational warship simply sinking from internal damage is YUGE shame.
you are right - big navies should look after their ships and crew competencies, like that US nuclear sub which banged into an obstruction in the South China Sea and had to be written off, wakakaka
DeleteThis comedian president SHOULD look at a mirror before he farts!
ReplyDeleteEuropean countries that continue to buy Russian oil of "earning their money in other people's blood".
Wow!
Has he ever thought of his yankee genuflecting presidency to prolong the Ukrain crisis in the same mold as of "earning their money in other people's blood"?
Oooop… no!
He is Ukrainian in name but multiple other citizenship in real live!
Jews too!
https://youtu.be/mVOVYD7h_9c
ReplyDeleteAll u mfering nationalist Ukrainian bleedingcheats, check this video to shout yr "Slava Ukraini!" fart.
Just watch how the old Ukrainian woman was been treated by the Russian militia vis-a-vis the Ukraine snapper who shot her in broad day light in Mariupol!
Bet u never see such video in yr fart filled well.