Volodymyr Zelenskyy Archives - Lokmarg

Sunak Shares ‘Barfi’ Made By His Mom With Ukraine Prez

By LokMarg 19th June 2023

A video showing UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offering an Indian sweet (barfi) to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has gone viral on social media.

The video, which was first shared by Rishi Sunak, the first Indian-origin British PM, on his official Instagram handle, shows him offering Indian sweet (barfi) made by his mother to Ukraine President Zelenskyy.

“It’s not every day that @zelenskiy_official tries your mum’s, homemade sweets,” Sunak captioned the video.

In the heartwarming video, shared a day ago, Sunak recalled the incident when he shared Barfi with Zelenskyy, which his mother had made.

“My mum had got some Indian sweets that she wanted to give me that she’d made, called barfi. I saw President Zelenskyy on the Monday after that and he and I were chatting and he was hungry. So I actually gave him some of my mum’s barfi which she was very happy to see. She was thrilled by that,” the UK PM is heard saying in the video.

The video has received positive reactions from users.

“Oh boy, no matter who u r PM or ordinary man, u don’t go without ur Mum’s home made Barfi. It’s mother’s love,” said a user.

Another user, who goes by name, Shabnam Russo, wrote, “This is the cutest we can all relate to mum’s barfi.”

“Indian parents are not less than god. Blessed by Indian culture,” another Instagrammer commented.

Notably, President Zelenskyy recently visited Britain during his European tour, which was aimed at securing new weapons for a counteroffensive against Russia. It was Zelenskyy’s second trip to the UK since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

“We’re thankful from all our hearts, from Ukrainians, from our soldiers, we are thankful. And this is a privilege to be here,” Zelenskyy told Sunak.

Sunak, whose parents came to the UK from East Africa in the 1960s, is of Indian descent. His father was a local doctor while his mother ran a pharmacy in southern England, something Sunak says gave him his desire to serve the public.

Ever since the Ukraine-Russia conflict began, UK PM Sunak has continued extending support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Notably, the UK has been offering military assistance to Ukraine ever since the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow started in February last year.

His wife is Akshata Murthy, the daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy.

UK PM Sunak’s mother-in-law, Sudha Murty, in a video shared recently, said that her daughter, Akshata Murty, “made her husband a Prime Minister.”

Rishi Sunak’s quick ascension to power has been highlighted before but his mother-in-law claims it was her daughter who made that possible. His mother-in-law, Sudha Murty, has claimed in a video circulating online that because of her daughter, Rishi Sunak became the youngest prime minister of the UK.

Sudha could be heard saying: “I made my husband a businessman. My daughter made her husband Prime Minister of the UK.”

“The reason is the glory of the wife. See how a wife can change a husband. But I could not change my husband. I made my husband a businessman, and my daughter made her husband a Prime Minister,” she said. (ANI)

Global Indecision Killing More Ukrainians: Zelensky Advisor

By LokMarg 22nd January 2023

Ukraine has said that global indecision is killing more Ukrainians. This comes after Germany didn’t take any decision on whether to supply German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine to strengthen the country’s fighting capacity against Russia, Al Jazeera reported.

“Today’s indecision is killing more of our people,” Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted late on Saturday. “Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians. Think faster,” he wrote.

According to Al Jazeera, Ukraine has been pleading for German-made Leopard 2 tanks. Several Ukrainian allies have echoed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s concerns, saying the tanks are essential to Ukraine’s fight with Russia.

Al Jazeera on Saturday reported that the United States and its allies have not reached any agreement on supplying German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as Russia issued threats that the war could escalate in Europe.

NATO and defense leaders from about 50 countries met at the American Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday, the latest in a series of arms-pledging conferences since Russia invaded Ukraine 11 months ago.

At the meeting, European leaders pushed Germany to give a green light for the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine in order to drive back Moscow’s forces. No decision was, however, made.

According to Al Jazeera, failure to provide the tanks may indicate growing division within NATO over supplying such weapons.

Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius denied claims that Berlin was unilaterally blocking the delivery of the Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, but said his government was ready to move quickly on the issue if there were consensus among allies, Al Jazeera reported.

“There are good reasons for the deliveries and there are good reasons against, and in view of the entire situation of a war that has been ongoing for almost one year, all pros and cons must be weighed very carefully,” Pistorius said.

There is pressure on Berlin to provide tanks to Kyiv that Ukraine sees as key in its war against Russia.

Pistorius said that there is a view that Germany is standing in the way. “There are many allies who say we share the view that I have put forward here,” he said.

Pistorius said that while there was no decision yet on whether to send the Leopard tanks, “We will make our decisions as soon as possible,” he said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

“I am very sure that there will be a decision in the short term but … I don’t know how the decision will look,” he said. (ANI)

Ukraine Is Alive And Kicking: Zelensky

By LokMarg 22nd December 2022

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (local time) addressed members of the US Congress saying, “Against all odds, and doom and gloom, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking.”

To a standing ovation on his first foreign trip since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, “It’s a great honour to be at the US Congress to speak to you, and all Americans. Against all odds, and doom and gloom, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking. We have no fear,” he says, adding that Ukraine has won the first phase of the invasion. The Russian tyranny has lost control over us.”
Zelenskyy addressed members of the Congress after presenting a united front with US President Joe Biden, who assured continued support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the world is too interconnected to ignore Russia’s war in Ukraine during his address to Congress.

“This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide protection,” he said.

“From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America, and from every country to Australia, the world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to stay aside and simultaneously feel safe when such a battle continues,” he said.

He also highlighted the shared values of Ukraine and the United States.

“Our two nations are allies in this battle. And next year will be a turning point, I know it when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom. The freedom of people who stand for their values,” he said.

Zelenskyy gave a message of hope for the Ukrainian people during his address to the Congress, saying the Russians “use everything” against cities such as Bakhmut but Ukraine “never surrenders”.

The Russians “have been taking (the city of 70,000 people day and night, but Bakhmut stands,” Zelenskyy said to a roaring applause.

“Last year, 70,000 people lived there in Bakhmut… Now only a few civilians stay. Every inch of that land is soaked in blood… Donbas changed hands several times in fierce combat and even hand-fighting. But the Ukrainian Donbas stands,” he said, as members gave him a standing ovation.

“Russians use everything, everything they have against Bakhmut and other of our beautiful cities, the occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery. They have an advantage in ammunition. They have much more missiles and planes than we ever had. It’s true. But our defence forces stand,” he said.

More than 300 days into the war, soldiers in Ukraine are defending their country, but they need more weapons to win on the battlefield, Zelenskyy told the Congress.

“Here, the front line, the tyranny — which has no lack of cruelty against the lives of free people — and your support is crucial not just to stand in the such fight but to get to the turning point to win on the battlefield,” he said.

“We have artillery, yes, thank you. It enough? Honestly, not really,” he said.

Zelensky said Ukraine is fighting for its “independence and freedom” but called for the United States continued support to achieve those goals.

“Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender,” he said.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden assured continued support to Ukraine in a news conference alongside Zelenskyy, announcing the US will send Kyiv a Patriot missile defence system as part of an additional USD 1.8 billion packages of assistance.

Zelenskyy thanked Americans for their support and reiterated that air defence systems are crucial to countering Russian attacks. (ANI)

And The Oscar Goes To… Ukraine Prez Zelenskyy

By LokMarg 10th November 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was taken aback upon receiving the iconic Oscar statuette from two-time Academy Award-winning Hollywood actor Sean Penn.

On his third visit to the country ravaged by an ongoing Russian invasion, Penn extended a humanitarian gesture by offering one of his two Oscar statuettes.
According to New York Post, he asked Zelenskyy to keep it with him till the war subsides with a ‘hopeful Ukrainian victory’.

Zelenskyy took to Instagram to share a video where Penn could be seen offering him his award. Zelenskyy could be seen declining the acceptance however he did say that the award will stay in the war-torn country as a symbol of faith in the victory of Ukraine.

“This is a symbolic silly thing, but I know if this is here with you, I’ll feel better and stronger for the fights,” Penn could be heard saying in the video, asking Zelenskyy to bring it back to Malibu upon winning the war against Russia. Shaking hands with Penn, Zelenskyy humbly exclaimed “It’s so great! I am honoured. We have to win” before accepting the possession of the golden figurine.

Zelenskyy returned the favour by honouring the Hollywood superstar with the ‘Order of Merit of the III degree’ for “strengthening relations, popularization and supporting the sovereignty of Ukraine”.

Prior to this, Penn had made headlines by publicly announcing that he would smelt his Oscar statuette if Zelenskyy is not sent an official invite to the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.

He has been an active supporter of Zelenskyy’s unwavering resilience and courage. In fact, he even expressed his admiration for the Ukrainian President time and again on public platforms.

During his appearance on Anderson Cooper’s show on CNN, Penn expressed high regard for him and how he has kept the country unified through such devastating times. (ANI)

At Least 17 Killed In Russian Attack On Zaporizhzhia

By LokMarg 9th October 2022

At least 17 people have been killed and 40 others injured after the rocket struck Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia area on Saturday.

Acting Mayor of Zaporizhzhia Anatoly Kurtev said that in the attack, five houses were destroyed and apartment buildings were damaged, CNN reported.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while addressing the nation on Saturday said that a fierce battle is taking place around the city of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region.

“We are holding positions in Donbas, in particular in the Bakhmut direction, where now it is very, very hard, very tough fighting,” Zelensky said as quoted by CNN.

“Today, I would like to once again mention our soldiers from the Kholodny Yar 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade for their courage and sustained power in this direction.”

Zaporizhzhia is a major city in southern Ukraine, not far from the front line, and the site of a nuclear power plant that the international community is watching warily, according to CNN.

Part of the wider region is occupied by Russian forces.

Notably, the war between Moscow and Kyiv intensifies after Russia announced the annexation of four regions of Ukraine – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

The war between Russia and Ukraine appears to be entering a new phase after Kyiv dealt a big blow to Moscow’s grip after it recaptured 2,400 square kilometers of territory in the Kherson region in the south of the country “since the beginning of the full-scale war,” a senior Ukrainian official said Friday, reported CNN.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the president’s office said six settlements had been liberated in the Kherson district as well as 61 in the Beryslav district.

Tymoshenko said the evacuation of civilians continued amid massive destruction to critical infrastructure in towns like Arkhanhelske, Vysokopillia, and Osokorivka, all of which saw weeks of heavy fighting and indirect fire. Demining is in progress, he added.

Ukrainian forces have been making steady progress in Kherson since beginning an offensive at the end of last month, and their successes have sparked rare criticism of Moscow’s war effort among pro-Russian figures.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised his forces’ counteroffensive in his evening address on Tuesday.

“The Ukrainian army is making a rather fast and powerful advance in the south of our country in the course of the ongoing defensive operation,” Zelenskyy said in his evening address.

“Our warriors do not stop. And it is only a matter of time before we will expel the occupier from all our land.” (ANI)

Amid Fear Of Nuclear Disaster, Last Reactor At Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Shuts Down

By LokMarg 11th September 2022

In the wake of increasing fears of nuclear disaster, the last operational reactor at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine has been entirely shut, the state agency in charge of the plant, Energoatom said on Sunday.

“The facility was “completely stopped” after it disconnected the Number 6 power unit from the grid at 3:41 am (00:41 GMT),” the statement read.
“A decision was made to shut down power unit No 6 and transfer it to the safest state – cold shutdown,” it said on Telegram, Al Jazeera reported.

The company reiterated that the shutdown was necessary to avoid the risk of further damage to the power lines as it remained high.

As per Al Jazeera, the six-reactor Zaporizhzhia plant was cut off from the grid last week after all its power lines were disconnected as a result of clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the area.

However, Energoatom further said it restored to operational capacity a communications line to the power system, allowing the plant to be powered by Ukraine’s energy system long enough to initiate the shutdown.

Notably, Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of damaging power lines supplying the plant with rocket and artillery fire, risking a severe radiation disaster as war between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate.

Furthermore, Kyiv on Wednesday called for residents of Russian-occupied areas around the plant which is Europe’s largest, to evacuate for their own safety.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long back called for the surrounding area to be demilitarized, according to Al Jazeera.

On August 31, the fourteen-membered team of the IAEA arrived in Ukraine.

During their visit, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that the physical integrity of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in south-eastern Ukraine has been “violated”.

“I worry, and I will continue to be worried about the plant until we have a situation which is more stable, which is more predictable. It is obvious that the plant and the physical integrity of the plant have been violated several times by chance [and] by deliberation,” Grossi told reporters after his visit to the plant.

During the military operation in Ukraine, launched by Russia on February 24, the nuclear plant and surrounding area fell under the control of the Russian forces. The NPP has recently been targeted by multiple shelling, raising international concerns over a possible nuclear accident while Russia and Ukraine continue to blame each other for the shelling incidents. (ANI)