Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed to Russian leader Vladimir Putin for direct talks following fatal conflict in Ukraine.
In a video message on Friday (February 24), Zelensky spoke in Russian as he once again addressed Putin - who launched an invasion of Ukraine by land, sea, and air on Thursday.
Per CNN, Zelensky said: "I would like to address the President of the Russian Federation once again. There is fighting all over Ukraine now. Let’s sit down at the negotiation table to stop the people's deaths."
Appealing to EU leaders and the European people, he added (translated by CNN): "Europe has enough strength to stop this aggression.
"What to expect from European countries - the abolition of visas for Russians, disconnection from SWIFT, complete isolation of Russia, the withdrawal of ambassadors, oil embargo, closing the airspace - all this must be on the table today."
Addressing EU civilians, Zelensky added: "Go out, go out on the squares. Demand the end of this war. It is your right. When bombs fall in Kyiv, this is happening in Europe and not just in Ukraine. When missiles kill our people it is killing of all, all Europeans."
"Call your governments for Ukraine to receive more, more financial and military assistance. because this help is the help for you, for Europe."
"This is not just Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is the beginning of the war in Europe," he added.
Per BBC News, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reported revealed that Russia was prepared to conduct "high-level delegations" with Ukraine, but only in the context of "demilitarization" and about Ukraine's "neutral status". These talks would reportedly take place in the Belarusian capital of Minsk.
Zelensky has also shared series of videos to social media showing him defiantly walking the streets of the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv.
In one video shared on early Saturday morning (February 26), Zelensky once again vowed to continue defending the country.
"I am here. We are not putting down arms. We will be defending our country, because our weapon is truth, and our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children, and we will defend all of this," he said. "That is it. That's all I wanted to tell you. Glory to Ukraine."
He captioned the video [translated], "Do not believe the fakes" - seemingly in reference to the circulating rumors that he had fled the country.
Overnight, CNN has reported that explosions and gunfire have continued to be heard throughout the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
In a national address on Friday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed that the people of Ukraine would stay and fight for their country. He also said: "I will stay in the capital. My family is also in Ukraine."
Zelensky also accused Russia of targeting civilian infrastructure.
The US, EU nations, and Canada have all announced sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
