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The former professional boxer and mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, thanks Switzerland for its solidarity – but asks for further support.
Klitschko thanks Switzerland for the solidarity.
AFP/Sergei Supinsky
Along with President Zelenskiy, are among the main targets of the Russian invaders: Wladimir (left) and Vitaly Klitschko.
AFP/Sergei Supinsky
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Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv and former professional boxer, asks Switzerland for further help.
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Along with President Zelensky and his younger brother Wladimir, Vitaly Klitschko is one of the main targets of the Russian invaders.
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“Everyone who does business with Russia today has blood on their hands, because every cent goes to the army,” says Klitschko.
In addition to President Volodimir Zelenski, former professional boxer Vitaly Klitschko (50) has become a symbol of resistance in the Ukraine war. He tirelessly encourages the citizens of Ukraine to resist the Russian aggressor.
In a video interview with the “Sunday Newspaper” the three-time heavyweight professional boxing world champion tells how he has been taking care of the people in his town almost non-stop since the beginning of the war. He can hardly sleep: “Every night the siren sounds three or four times, I hate this sound, this terrible siren thunder”.
The risk of an attack is great
He hasn’t felt much of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kyiv. “Every hour, barely 20 kilometers from the center, there are explosions.” The city’s infrastructure was destroyed and logistics collapsed. “We still have reserves, but in a few weeks there will be a shortage of food and medicine. A huge humanitarian catastrophe is looming in eastern Ukraine,” says the mayor of Kyiv.
Along with President Zelensky and his younger brother Wladimir (46), Vitaly Klitschko is one of the main targets of the Russian invaders. The danger of a targeted attack is great. «There is no safe place anymore, every Ukrainian citizen is in danger. I’m taking a certain risk, that’s my job, that’s my duty.”
The war affects everyone in the European Union. According to Klitschko, there are many politicians who are dancing on two weddings, who condemn the war but are not ready for harsh sanctions once morest Russia. “Everyone who does business with Russia today has blood on their hands because every penny goes to the army.” When asked regarding the sanctions in Switzerland, he says: “I would like to thank you for the support. But: We Ukrainians also fight for you, we also give our lives for your democratic values. »
“Thank you for your solidarity”
He says of the Russian President: «Putin is unpredictable. He wants power. He wants a Russian empire, he wants the former Soviet Union back. It’s clear to me: Putin is sick.” Klitschko is not very optimistic regarding the progress of the war: “We see no light at the end of the tunnel.”
At the end of the conversation with the “SonntagsZeitung”, Klitschko asked to be able to say a few words to Switzerland: “I greet Switzerland. And I have a message for the Swiss: Please help Ukraine. Join us. Together we can end the war in Europe. Thank you for your solidarity.”
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(chk)