Zelenskyy urgently returns from South Africa to Ukraine due to a large-scale attack by the Russian Federation
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi was forced to partially cancel his visit to South Africa due to a large-scale attack by Russia. The head of state urgently returns to Ukraine.
The President commented on the missile attack on Ukraine, noting that 44 days ago Ukraine agreed to a complete ceasefire. At the same time, Russia continues to strike, kill civilians and avoid due pressure and responsibility. Zelensky emphasized that the attack caused significant destruction, and rescue operations are ongoing. In total, more than 80 people were injured throughout the country, 9 citizens died in Kyiv.
“There was a report from the military command. I instructed the Minister of Defense of Ukraine to immediately contact our partners regarding our requests to strengthen air defense,” – said the head of state.
He also announced that he will inform the President of the South African Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently chairs the G20, about the situation in Ukraine and the need to intensify international diplomatic efforts.
“I am canceling part of the program of this visit, and after meeting with the President of South Africa, I will immediately return to Ukraine”, – the president explained.
Zelenskyi added that he expects South Africa’s support in humanitarian issues, in particular in the case of the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and children abducted by Russia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine will remain in South Africa to hold all scheduled meetings and inform the political and public leadership of the country about the situation in Ukraine.
We will remind you that on the evening of April 23, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, together with the First Lady, arrived in South Africa, where he was supposed to hold a series of meetings with President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as with representatives of the political, public and student circles of African countries.
