Zelensky: Ukraine has dealt a powerful blow to Russia.
In a video speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Ukrainian military had dealt a “powerful blow” to Russia and thanked all those who were helping to defend the nation.
“Over the past week, our heroic armed forces have delivered powerful blows to the enemy, significant losses,” Zelensky said. “I am grateful to our defenders who showed the invaders that the sea will not be calm for them even when there is no storm. “Because there will be fire.”
He claimed that more than 16,000 Russian soldiers had been killed since the start of the war, a much higher number than Russia estimated on Friday.
“By curbing Russia’s actions, our defenders are leading the Russian leadership to a simple and logical idea: dialogue is necessary, meaningful, urgent and fair. “For the sake of the result, not for the sake of delay,” he said, adding that 16,000 Russian servicemen had already died. For what? What do you give and to whom? ”
Any negotiations with Russia must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and the country’s territorial integrity, he added.
The president added that Ukraine had set up 18 evacuation corridors this week, allowing more than 37,000 people to flee the “blocked cities” – including more than 26,000 residents from Mariupol, which has been under relentless shelling for weeks. all.