UPDATE - Ukraine accuses Russia of seeking mercenaries, terrorists to fight its war

UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES BY ZELENSKYY

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Ukraine on Friday accused Moscow of trying to recruit mercenaries, militants, and terrorists to wage Russia's war against its western neighbor.

"They're looking for mercenaries from all over the world. They are sending the militants from all the terrorist groups and private armies that were established by some of the Russian officials," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Finland's parliament in a video address, continuing his addresses to foreign lawmakers, seeking a harder line against Moscow.

Zelenskyy hailed Finland for imposing sanctions on Russia, also stressing that "the war of Russia against Ukraine is decisive" not only for the future of Ukraine and its people but also for all those bordering Russia.

Russia and Finland share a 1,340-kilometer (833-mile) border, and in the early days of World War II Russian troops invaded Finland.

Zelenskyy further urged the cutting of all economic ties with Russia, pressing for a full European embargo on Russian oil.

"We need to isolate all the Russian banks from the international banking system. It cannot be limited just by a partial response to the Russian threat in Europe and threat to the democratic world because freedom will not survive if we leave channels that will be fed by these sources of income," he added.

Countries should search for new sources of energy besides Russia, said the Ukrainian president, asking: "How much longer can Europe ignore the introduction of an embargo against oil supplies from Russia?"

Zelenskyy further noted that at least 928 educational facilities have been destroyed or damaged by Russian forces since the beginning of the war.

He invited Finland and Finnish companies to join Ukraine's efforts to rebuild its educational sector and modernize education in the country.

The Ukrainian leader repeated his request for more weapons from EU countries, and welcomed Europe's decision to provide defense support to his country, which he described as a "principled position."

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

At least 1,611 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 2,227 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4.3 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.