Ukraine: Former President Takes To Arms To Defend Kyiv Against Russian Invasion

Ukraine's former president, armed with a rifle, plans on holding out 'forever' against Russia's invasion.

Shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine, the defence ministry called on those willing and able to join the country's defences. As the conflict has intensified, with more missile strikes, casualties and troops honing on Kyiv, the call to arms has broadened - now, everyone has been urged to fight.

In addition to asking everyday people to use Molotov cocktails against the Russian Armed Forces, there are very little restrictions barring citizens from joining the territorial defence forces, with the exception of minors.

Petro Poroshenko, who served as president of Ukraine until 2019, spoke to CNN from the streets of Kyiv surrounded by his armed battalion, stationed a few kilometres from fighting between Ukrainian and Russian soldiers.

Describing Putin as 'simply mad', he said, 'Everybody should understand, Putin declared a war not for Ukraine. Putin declared a war to the whole world... he's just simply evil to come here to kill Ukrainians.'

Poroshenko showed the anchor his Kalashnikov, and claimed many citizens have been signing up to fight against Russian troops, which shows 'how Ukrainian people hate Putin', he said, but added, 'We don't have enough arms.'

When asked how long he plans on holding out against Russia, he said, 'Forever... Putin never will capture Ukraine, no matter how many soldiers he has, how many missiles he has, how many nuclear weapons he has. We Ukrainians are free people with a great European future.'

Volodymyr Zelensky, the current president of Ukraine, called for direct talks with Putin. '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,' he said.

'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.'

While affirming his praise for Ukrainians stepping up to defend the country, he also called on the wider continent. '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,' he said.

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