KYIV, Ukraine. — Ukraine’s President is warning his people that Russia is getting ready to go back on the offensive in their country.
Volodymyr Zelensky said during a video address Sunday that Russian troops are getting ready for an attack on the eastern side of the already war-torn country.
He added that Russians “want to literally finish off and destroy Donbas.” Zelensky again accused Russia of committing humanitarian violations in southern Ukraine and again pleaded for allies to cut off oil supplies from Russia.
President Biden is being invited to visit Ukraine. Zelensky wants him to see the destruction firsthand, especially alleged Russian war crimes. He blames Russian troops for what he calls a massacre in at least two cities and a possible chemical attack in another.
Biden says he’s ready to go to war-torn Ukraine but the White House insists it won’t happen.
Zelensky also extended an invitation to the president of France, who has been reluctant to follow others in using the word genocide.
As for the fighting, Ukraine has not surrendered the port city of Mariupol to the Russians by the Sunday deadline set by Moscow. While the prime minister acknowledged the severe humanitarian crisis faced by the city, he noted that Ukrainian forces have no intention of surrendering.
Zelensky also stressed his country’s dire need for financial support saying only “half” of Ukraine’s economy is currently operational.
