Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he will be releasing convicted criminals who have “real combat experience” to assist in fighting.
QUICK FACTS:
- Zelenskyy said Monday he will be freeing criminals and arming them with assault weapons to fight the Russians, Newsweek reported.
- “We have taken a decision which is not easy from the moral point of view, but which is useful from the point of view of our defense,” Zelenskyy said. “Under martial law Ukrainian [criminals] with real combat experience will be released from custody and will be able to compensate for their guilt in the hottest spots of the conflict.”
- The president urged the Ukrainian people that everyone who is able to fight must do so.
ZELENSKYY ON RELEASING PRISONERS TO HELP FIGHT RUSSIA:
“All sanctions against some individuals who participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation will be lifted. They key thing now is defense.”
BACKGROUND:
- In the address, Zelenskyy pleaded with Russian troops to quit fighting and leave the country after more than 4,500 troops have already been killed over the past few weeks.
- “Abandon your equipment. Get out of here. Don’t believe your commanders. Don’t believe your propagandists. Just save your lives,” he said.
- Zelenskyy also called on the European Union to give his country membership and that a “new special procedure” would allow Ukraine to immediately join the other nations.
- “Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing,” the president said. “I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible.”
