“Yesterday’s sanctions did not convince Russia”: Zelensky called on Moscow to negotiate against the backdrop of hostilities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Russia to start negotiations on a cessation of hostilities. He stated this in a speech on the TV channel “Ukraine-24”, distributed in social networks.

“Sooner or later, Russia will still have to negotiate with us, talk about how to end the hostilities and stop this invasion,” Zelensky said.

He believes that “the sooner this conversation begins, the less will be the losses of Russia itself.”

According to the Ukrainian leader, “this morning we are defending our state alone, just like yesterday.”

“Did yesterday’s sanctions convince Russia? We see in our sky and we see on our land that this is not enough, ”he expressed his opinion.

Zelensky also addressed the citizens of the Russian Federation in Russian.

“To all the citizens of the Russian Federation who go out to protest, I want to say: we see you. This means that you heard us, it means that you begin to believe us. Fight for us, fight against the war,” he said.

The day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a special military operation in Ukraine. This was followed by the reaction of other countries. Economic sanctions have been imposed on Russia. Restrictions apply to Sberbank, VTB, Promsvyazbank and other banks and organizations. State Duma deputies and businessmen also fell under the sanctions.

The emergency NATO summit on Ukraine will begin on Friday at 17:00 Moscow time via videoconference.

Tonight, according to TASS, Zelensky announced the number of Ukraine’s losses on February 24. “According to preliminary data, unfortunately, today we have already lost 137 of our heroes, our citizens, 10 of them are officers. 316 wounded,” the President said.

Zelensky also confirmed that Ukraine had lost control of Serpent’s Island in the Black Sea.

The news is being supplemented.