Zelensky calls the situation in Donbas "extremely difficult" and reiterates his gratitude to the US

MADRID, 22 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensky, described the situation in Donbas, in eastern Ukraine, on Saturday night as "extremely difficult", and reiterated his gratitude to the United States for the new US aid package, estimated at about 40,000 million dollars (about 37,000 million euros).

"The situation in Donbas is extremely difficult. As in previous days, the Russian Army is trying to attack Sloviansk and Severodonetsk," the Ukrainian president said in a statement from the Ukrainian Presidency.

Thus, he stressed that "the Ukrainian Armed Forces are dissuading this offensive (...) no Russian attack will give any results."

"I thank the President of the United States, Joe Biden, for the immediate signing of the 40 billion dollar aid package for Ukraine approved by the United States Congress. It is a historic contribution to the protection of freedom in Europe," he said. specified.

Likewise, Zelenski has said that Ukraine is doing everything possible "to return to peace times as soon as possible."

Russia announced on Friday the capture of the Azovstal steel plant in the city of Mariupol, the last bastion of the Ukrainian resistance in the town, besieged by Russia practically since the beginning of the invasion, on February 24.

On the other hand, the president explained that during the last day he had held meetings with the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa. "Portugal is ready to join the reconstruction of Ukraine, the reconstruction of Ukrainian schools and kindergartens. And I want to remind you that during the war, the Russian Army has already destroyed 1,873 educational institutions. This is a colossal scale of losses," he said. Zelensky said.

The President of Ukraine has also met with the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, and they have agreed that "the sixth package of sanctions against Russia must be accelerated".