March 08, (THEWILL) – A former Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych, has urged the incumbent, Volodymyr Zelensky, to give up and surrender to Russia.
Yanukovych’s appeal was contained in a message circulated on Tuesday by Russian state agency, Ria Novosti.
In the message, Yanukovych said “You personally are obliged to stop the bloodshed and reach a peace agreement at any cost. This is what Ukraine, the Donbas and Russia expect from you”, adding that Kiev’s partners in the West would welcome such move.
Yanukovych, 71, considered to be extremely corrupt, had been living in exile in Russia, after he was toppled by pro-Western demonstrators in 2014, and sentenced in absentia to 13 years in prison for treason.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky has vowed to fight on, insisting that he is not afraid and will not hide from anyone.
The President made the remarks while revealing that he is in the Ukrainian capital Kiev in spite of the ongoing fighting there.
Zelensky, in a video message, said he would not hide and wasn’t afraid of anyone.
“I am staying in Kiev. Today is the 12th night of our struggle, our defence. We are all on site, everyone is working, everyone is where he has to. I’m in Kiev, my team is with me”, Zelensky added.
Zelensky had in a statement earlier recalled Ukrainian soldiers serving on foreign missions.
The statement released by the President’s office said, “The highly professional military would be needed in the fight against Russian aggression.”
Zelensky added that talks with Russia would continue.
“We are realists, that’s why we’re going to talk. We will insist on negotiations until we find a way to say to our people, this is how we come to peace. Every day of fighting creates better conditions for Ukraine”, he said.
