Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly refused to be evacuated from the capital city of Kyiv as Russian military forces attack the city and surrounding areas.
“The U.S. government is prepared to help Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky leave Kyiv to avoid being captured or killed by advancing Russian forces, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials,” The Washington Post reported. “But so far, the president has refused to go.”
A senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation that U.S. officials had with Zelensky when he was reportedly asked to evacuate says that Zelensky responded: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Kira Rudik, a member of Ukraine’s parliament, said on social media on Friday and in media interviews that she was prepared to stay and fight the Russians along with other members of the country’s parliament.
“We have been given Kalashnikovs and we will be able to resist if Russian forces come to Kyiv. I don’t know if you can hear but there are strikes happening behind me and I can feel the glass trembling a little bit,” she told CNN on Friday. “It is my duty to be here. I am armed and my crew is armed.”
“I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms,” she wrote on Twitter. “It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine! 🇺🇦”
I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine! 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/UbF4JRGlcy
— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) February 25, 2022
This is a developing news story; refresh the page for updates.