Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said that Russian “occupation forces” are trying to seize the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near the city of Pripyat in the north of Ukraine, and termed it a “declaration of war against the whole of Europe”.
He also said he is in touch with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, Karl Nehammer, the Chancellor of Austria, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey, to form “an anti-Putin coalition”.
In tweets, he posted: “Russian occupation forces are trying to seize the #Chornobyl_NPP. Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. Reported this to @SwedishPM (Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson).
“This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe. “We are creating an anti-Putin coalition. I spoke with @vonderleyen (Ursula von der Leyen), @EmmanuelMacron, @karlnehammer and @RTErdogan about concrete sanctions and concrete assistance for our military. We are waiting for decisive action.”
The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the No. 4 reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of the Ukrainian SSR, which is considered the worst such disaster in history.
Earlier, Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv has severed diplomatic ties with Moscow, and urged Russians “who have not yet lost their conscience” to protest against the war with his country.
In tweets, he also compared Russia’s military offensive in Donbas early this morning to the “treacherous” attack by Nazi Germany in his country during World War 2. He said that Russia has “embarked on a path of evil”, but Ukraine “is defending itself and won’t give up its freedom no matter what Moscow thinks”.
In tweets, he said: “We have severed diplomatic relations with Russia. For all those who have not yet lost their conscience in Russia, it is time to go out and protest against the war with Ukraine. “Russia treacherously attacked our state in the morning, as Nazi Germany did in #2WW years. As of today, our countries are on different sides of world history. Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but Ukraine is defending itself & won’t give up its freedom no matter what Moscow thinks.”
In June 1941, following the launch of Operation Barbarossa , Ukraine was invaded by Nazi Germany and quickly became occupied. Earlier, in an address to the nation, Zelenskyy said he will not give its freedom and sovereignty to Russia. He urged anyone with military training to come and join the war against Russia.
He also urged people to donate blood for injured soldiers. “Anyone who has military training — who have a military experience has to come to the Interior Ministry and make themselves available to protect our population,” he said.
“As of this morning, we have injured soldiers. Please give your blood to hospitals, give your blood to our defenders.” Zelenskyy called the invasion of Russia “cowardly” as he rallied his nation. “Russia cowardly attacked our country early in the morning. Very much like Nazi Germany did during the Second World War.”
