President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the leaders of three NATO member states who traveled to Ukraine’s war-torn capital on Tuesday for an extraordinary meeting and urged others to do the same.
The leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia who have traveled to Kiev “fear nothing”, said Mr Zelensky after the meeting, adding: “I am sure that with such friends, with such countries, with such neighbors and partners, can really win.”
The leaders discussed not only increasing sanctions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, but also “plans to rebuild our country after the end of hostilities,” Mr. Zelensky, and radiated confidence despite a brutal campaign that has already pushed more than two million Ukrainians to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
Mr. Zelensky has tried to gain international support through nightly videos he posts on social media, as well as virtual meetings with world leaders — including a speech to US lawmakers on Wednesday.
But Tuesday’s meeting in Kiev, which the Russian forces targeted but have so far failed to capture, was a rare, face-to-face meeting for Mr. Zelensky and external leaders. According to a photo on the president’s official website, at least one participant wore a green protective vest while sitting at the table with Mr. Zelensky.
Mr Zelensky also invited other world leaders to join him in Kiev, once again urging allies to enforce a no-fly zone over the country, which they have opposed out of concern of getting into direct conflict. to be involved with Russia.
“I invite all friends of Ukraine to visit Kiev,” Mr Zelensky said in a statement on his official Telegram channel. “It can be dangerous here. Because our skies are not yet closed to Russian missiles and planes.”
He added: “You know for sure that the eyes of all the people of the world are now on our capital, on Ukrainians.”