'Europe must stop listening to any excuses made for Russia': Ukrainian president

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Europe must stop listening to any excuses made for Russia, the Ukrainian president said on Tuesday.

Addressing Danish lawmakers via video link, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow aims to totally destroy normal life in Ukraine.

He stressed that war crimes are being committed and that the world is not stopping them.

"We need to say no to Russian oil and Russian energy as soon as possible because this dependence allows the Russian leadership to be so arrogant, to use hatred against our people and ruin lives in our neighboring countries," he added.

He also called for a unified blockade against all Russian businesses, trade, and oil.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, has met international outrage with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,151 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,824 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 3.9 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, with millions more displaced inside the country, according to the UN refugee agency.