Vladimir Putin will never “conquer” Ukraine, Boris Johnson promised on Monday. The Prime Minister expressed strong support for the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky, as people tremble in horror at the killing of civilians in cities outside Kyiv. Johnson wrote on Twitter: “Putin will never break the spirit of the Ukrainian people or conquer his homeland. “Ukraine will rise again and take its place among the free and sovereign nations once again.” Cabinet ministers have called for tougher sanctions against the Putin regime, as well as more military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Attorney General Iryna Venediktova said the bodies of 410 civilians were found in towns near the capital, which had recently been recaptured by Russian troops.
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In the city of Bucha, 23 miles northwest of Kiev city center, Deputy Mayor Taras Shapravskyi said 50 of the 300 bodies found after Russian forces withdrew from the city late last week were the victims of extrajudicial killings. by Russian troops. Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Simon Hart stressed the need for a “joint effort” by the West to boost military, economic and diplomatic support for the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky, while strengthening sanctions on the Kremlin regime. Speaking to Sky News, the Welsh Minister Hart stressed: “It is not just the United Kingdom. This is the leadership of a global response. “If the answer is effective, the West and many, many nations need to unite in this common effort.” He stressed that Britain is ready to do everything it can to provide different weapons to Ukraine, as it requires changes or funding to obtain them from another source. Regarding the tougher sanctions on Putin’s regime, he added: “Now is not the time to sit back and say that we have done enough.” Zelensky accused the Russian forces of genocide, calling their war “the annihilation of the entire nation and people.” Zelensky, speaking to CBS News through a translator on Sunday, said that the people of Ukraine did not want to be subjugated by Russia and as a result it is being destroyed and annihilated. Asked if Russia’s actions constituted genocide, he said: “Indeed, this is genocide. The elimination of the whole nation and people. We are the citizens of Ukraine. We have more than 100 nationalities. “It is about destroying and exterminating all these nationalities.” Mr Zelensky also made a surprise appearance as a guest via video link at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, urging musicians to “fill the silence with your music” and support Ukraine “in any way you can”. Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that all photos and videos released by Ukrainian authorities claiming that the “crimes” committed by Russian troops in Bucharest were “provocative” and that no Bucha residents had been abused. the Russian troops.
“Putin will feel the consequences”
Images of destruction and apparent violence against civilians have drawn widespread condemnation from Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. On Sunday, Mr Johnson condemned the “heinous attacks on innocent civilians” in Irpin and Bucha. “No denial or misinformation from the Kremlin can hide what we all know to be true – Putin is desperate, his invasion fails and Ukraine’s determination has never been stronger,” he said. “I will do everything in my power to starve Putin’s war machine. “We are strengthening our sanctions and military support, and we are strengthening our humanitarian assistance package to help those in need on the ground.” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described the images as a “punch in the gut”, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an independent inquiry. “Putin and his supporters will feel the consequences,” said German Chancellor Olaf Solz, adding that Western allies would agree on further sanctions in the coming days. Japan has said it will consult with allies on additional sanctions. “Japan is taking the deaths of innocent people in Ukraine very seriously. We are really shocked,” said Secretary-General of the Council Hirokazu Matsuno at a regular news conference. German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said the European Union should discuss a ban on Russian gas imports – a departure from Berlin’s previous resistance to the idea of an embargo on Russian energy imports. Russia has asked the UN Security Council to convene on Monday to discuss what Moscow has called a “provocation by Ukrainian radicals” in Bucha. Russia has previously denied targeting civilians and has denied allegations of war crimes in what it calls a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarizing and “demobilizing” Ukraine. Ukraine says invasion without provocation. The Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented “several cases of Russian military forces violating the law of war” in the Ukrainian regions of Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Kyiv.
