Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky bid farewell to European leaders during a video conversation. He told me that this might be the last time he was seen alive.
The 44-year-old leader made a chilling farewell in a video call with EU leaders Thursday.
The video conversation was leaked by a source close to Zelensky to Axios and the Financial Times, Friday (25/2/2022), just before the president publicly declared he was Russia's "number one target".
"This may be the last time you will see me alive," the source said, imitating Zelensky's farewell to European leaders. One of those who video chatted with Zelensky was Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.
The Swedish leader confirmed to news agency TT that EU leaders knew when they said goodbye that they might not see Zelensky again.
Zelensky, who appeared to speak to other leaders from a hideout bunker, vowed to remain in Kiev even as the city was besieged by Russian troops. "Russia wants to destroy Ukraine politically by bringing down the head of state," he said.
“The enemy has set me as target number one, and my family as target number two,” he said of his wife; Olena Zelenska, their son; Cyril, and their daughter; Alexandra.
Despite Zelensky's dire warnings, he made a defiant video hours later on Friday, appearing with four key cabinet members in the dark streets of Kiev.
"We're here. We are in Kiev. We are defending Ukraine," he said.
He also previously posted an indoor video shaming European and US leaders for their lack of assistance to Ukraine.
"This morning, we defended our own country," the president said of the second day of all-out invasion by Russia. "Just like yesterday, the most powerful nation in the world is watching from a distance," he said with a clear nod to President Joe Biden's administration.
Zelensky directly likens the attack on his country—focusing on the Ukrainian capital; Kiev, on Friday—with what Europe had witnessed during World War II.
"Europe said, 'Never again', but here we are," he said, warning that Russia's invasion was the start of a war against Europe.
"How are you going to help yourself, when you helped us so slowly in Ukraine?" Zelensky quips for Western leaders. He even encouraged any European with "combat experience" to ignore the skepticism of politicians.
"And come to our country and join us in defending Europe," he said.
"Europe has sufficient power to stop this aggression," he said, noting many measures that Europe has not yet used.
"Visa cancellation for Russia, their cutting from SWIFT, total isolation of Russia, withdrawal of ambassador, oil embargo, imposition of a no-fly zone, these should be on the table," he said.
However, Zelensky praised Sweden for providing military, technical and humanitarian assistance. "They are building an anti-Putin coalition together!" he said.