Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky in an address on Friday said that his country had been left to fight Russia on its own after a full-scale invasion was launched on Thursday.
Mr Zelensky noted that the attacks had killed over 130 Ukrainians in the first day and ask for help from world leaders.
“We have been left alone to defend our state,” Mr Zelensky said in a video address. “Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don’t see anyone. Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is afraid.”
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin began invading Ukraine, threatening any country trying to interfere with “consequences you have never seen.”
Russia unleashed airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and military bases, as well as sending in troops and tanks from three sides. Ukrainian and U.S. officials noted Russian forces attacking from the east toward Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city; from the southern region of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014; and from Belarus to the north.
Ukraine officials said they had lost control of the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant, scene of the world’s worst nuclear disaster. The Antonov International Airport, just outside of Kyiv in Ukraine, had also been taken over by Russian forces.
U.S. President Joe Biden had announced sanctions against Russia, saying Mr Putin “chose this war” and that his country would bear the consequences. The sanctions will target Russian banks, oligarchs, state-controlled companies and high-tech sectors.