Ukrainian President appeals for people from abroad to join the fight with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has promised to issue weapons to any “friends from abroad” willing to fight for Ukraine, as his forces continue to repel Russian troops from seizing the capital of Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a fresh address on Saturday: “Everyone who can defend Ukraine abroad please do it directly in a united way.

“Every friend of Ukraine who wants to join Ukraine in defending the country please come over, we will give you weapons.”

It comes after he appeared in a social media video from the streets of Kyiv early on Saturday to counter claims he had taken up an American offer to evacuate.

The UK Ministry of Defence said today that “the bulk of Russian forces” are now around 19 miles from Kyiv’s city centre, as they “continue their advance” towards the capital.

British officials have praised the Ukrainian military’s “staunch resistance across the country”, while President Zelenskyy said: “Everyone who is defending Ukraine is a hero.”