Zelensky: Our briefing is for an attack on February 16th

LAST UPDATE 23:36

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a speech today – which was also posted on Facebook – said that he was informed that Russia will attack on Wednesday, as broadcast by foreign agencies.

The Ukrainian leader’s comments come as tensions between Kiev and Moscow have turned red. Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, although it denies planning an invasion.

Zelensky said in a statement on Facebook that Ukraine will celebrate “Unity Day” next Wednesday.

“We are told that February 16 will be the day of the attack,” he said, adding: “We will do it on Unity Day. The decree has already been signed. On this day, we will raise flags, put blue and yellow ribbons and we will show the world our unity.

We have a great European ambition. We want freedom and we are ready to fight. 14,000 defenders and civilians killed in this war are watching us. And we will not betray their memory. ”

Earlier, Zelensky urged officials, politicians and businessmen who had recently left Ukraine to return home within 24 hours. “It is your duty, in such a situation, to be with us, with the Ukrainian people. I propose that you return to your homeland within 24 hours and stand by the Ukrainian army, diplomacy and our people,” he said.

Ukrainian media reported that some MPs and businessmen left the country at the weekend, after the US, Britain and other countries advised their citizens to leave Ukraine urgently.

“Go back to your people and your country, which was the source of your factories and your property,” Zelensky added.

The Spiegel broadcast the previous days The United States has warned its allies in Europe that they are worried about a Russian attack this Wednesday.

Citing several diplomats and military officials, Spiegel said the US government had provided details, including possible routes for the Russian invasion, as well as the individual Russian units to be mobilized and what tasks they would take on. The probable start date of the invasion was February 16.

Russian invasion “at any time”

The White House reiterated today that “a Russian offensive could be launched at any time”, noting that this means “within this week as well”, and stressed that the United States continues to work for a diplomatic solution that will de-escalate the crisis. .

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre said the United States had a “clear picture” of the situation on the ground, with tens of thousands of Russian troops gathered on the border with Ukraine, according to Reuters.

However, in an interview with the British newspaper “The Guardian”, the Russian ambassador to the European Union, Vladimir Tsizov, stated, however, that Russia has no plans to invade Ukraine.

“We will not invade Ukraine unless we are challenged to do so,” he said. “If the Ukrainians launch an attack on Russia, we should not be surprised if we retaliate. Or if they start killing Russian citizens anywhere, in Donbass or elsewhere,” he said.