Zelensky declines U.S. evacuation offer, wants ammo, "not a ride"

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was urged to evacuate Kyiv at the behest of the U.S. government but has turned down the offer, The Associated Press reported a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation as saying on Saturday, February 26.

The official quoted the president as saying that “the fight is here” and that he needed anti-tank ammunition but “not a ride.”

As his country confronted explosions and gunfire, and as the fate of Kyiv hung in the balance, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for a cease-fire and warned in a bleak statement that multiple cities were under attack.

“This night we have to stand firm,” he said. “The fate of Ukraine is being decided right now.”

The clashes followed two days of fighting that resulted in hundreds of casualties and pummeled bridges, schools and apartment buildings. U.S. officials believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to overthrow Ukraine’s government and replace it with a regime of his own.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday authorized a sanction of $350 million to Ukraine for procurement of Defense equipment and imparting military training and education.

Authorization was also given to the secretary of state to sanction up to $250 million in assistance, if "it is important to the security interests of the United States," a Memorandum issued by the White House said.

The aggregate assistance to Ukraine by the U.S. is to the tune of $600 million.