Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday Russia is planning to bombard Odessa. Zelenskyy said in a televised statement that if that occurs, it “will be a war crime … a historic crime.”
Zelenskyy spoke in Russian for part of the statement, urging Russians to choose between life and slavery in “the time when it is still possible to defeat evil without irreparable losses.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that Ukrainian statehood is at risk if the country continues its current path.
During a meeting with Aeroflot workers, Putin added that any “no-fly zone” over Ukraine would have “colossal and catastrophic consequences not only for Europe but also the whole world.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized NATO for not imposing a no-fly zone, which the Western alliance says could escalate the conflict with Russia.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke Saturday night with the Ukrainian president. They talked about the work the United States, its allies, partners and private industry are doing to raise the cost of the war for Russia.
Biden said his administration is ramping up security, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and is working with Congress for more funding.