Ukraine's President Vows to Continue Retaliating Against Russia Despite International Criticism

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed his country's commitment to responding to Russian attacks on its energy facilities, despite criticism from neighboring countries and Moscow's oil customers. The dispute has disrupted oil shipments to Slovakia and Hungary, with Zelenskyy urging the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, to cut off oil supplies from Russia. The ongoing conflict has also led to discussions of post-war security guarantees for Ukraine, with 26 countries pledging to provide international forces to protect the country once the war ends.

Key Takeaways:

• Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to continue retaliating against Russia's attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.
• Oil shipments to Slovakia and Hungary have been disrupted due to Kyiv's attacks on the Druzhba pipeline.
• Zelenskyy met with the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, and urged him to cut off oil supplies from Russia.
• 26 countries, including France, have pledged to provide post-war security guarantees to Ukraine, including international forces and training for Kyiv's troops.
• Russia's President Vladimir Putin has stated that any international troops in Ukraine would be "legitimate targets" for Russian strikes.
• Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has announced plans for a new set of sanctions against Russia to pressure Putin to end the war.
• Belgium's Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, has warned that seizing Russian central bank assets could inflict major damage on Europe's economy.
• Australia's Ukrainian community has urged the country's government to intervene in the case of captured soldier Oscar Jenkins, who was jailed for 13 years on charges of being a "mercenary" while fighting with Ukrainian forces.

Statistics:

• $234bn: the estimated value of the assets reportedly held by the international deposit organisation Euroclear in Belgium.
• 33: the age of Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins, who was jailed for 13 years on charges of being a "mercenary" while fighting with Ukrainian forces.
• 26: the number of countries that have pledged to provide post-war security guarantees to Ukraine.
• 13: the number of years that Oscar Jenkins was sentenced to in prison on charges of being a "mercenary".

Sources:

• The Guardian: "Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vows to continue retaliating against Russia".
• AFP: "Belgium warns against seizing Russian central bank assets".
• Guardian: "Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney: Ukraine war should be 'ended not dictated'".
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation: "Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins jailed for 13 years in Ukraine".