Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, made an appearance at Glastonbury to encourage festival-goers to “share the truth” on the nation’s dispute with Russia.
Prior to The Libertines’ performance, Zelensky addressed tens of thousands of festival-goers in southwest England through a taped video message in English.
He declared at the Worthy Farm event that “Russia has taken our peace” while donning his now-signature military green t-shirt.
Millions of people’s lives have been placed on wait by the pandemic, he added.
‘We in Ukraine would also like to live life as we used to and enjoy freedom and this wonderful summer.
‘But we cannot do that because the most terrible (thing) has happened.’
For the first time since the festival’s conclusion in 2019, he asked the people to “share the truth about Russia’s war” and aid Ukrainian refugees.
‘Pressure all the politicians you are aware of to assist in bringing back peace in Ukraine. Time is irreplaceable, and each day is measured in terms of human lives, he said.
Zelensky has appeared on a number of occasions via video connection from Ukraine, including speeches before the US Congress, the European Parliament, and the UK parliament.
He made his remarks on the same day that a Ukrainian official declared that Severodonetsk would be abandoned by Ukrainian soldiers due to a severe Russian attack.
The news came shortly after the European Union made a strong show of support for Ukraine, granting the former Soviet republic candidate status, although there is still a long path ahead to membership.
Capturing Severodonetsk has become a key goal of the Russians as they focus their offensive on eastern Ukraine after being repelled from Kyiv and other areas following their February invasion.
Weeks of street fighting have taken place in the strategically significant industrial area as the outgunned Ukrainians mount a valiant defense.
The city’s governor, Sergiy Gaiday, however, declared that the Ukrainian troops would have to withdraw.
He posted on Telegram that “they have gotten an order” to leave.
“It just doesn’t make sense to stay in positions that have been repeatedly pounded for months.”
The ongoing shelling has “almost reduced the city to ruins,” he continued.
“Every essential piece of infrastructure has been destroyed.” 80 percent of the city’s homes would need to be razed since 90 percent of them are damaged, he added.
The Ukrainians now only controlled the city’s industrial sections after being forced out of much of the city.
The Russians might capture Lugansk and expand their influence into the larger Donbas by seizing Severodonetsk and its twin city, Lysychansk.
Lysychansk, which has been under intensive Russian shelling, is now being approached, according to Gaiday.
Russian soldiers bombed the city’s main supply line on Thursday, forcing AFP journalists leaving the area twice to leap out of their vehicles and lay on the ground.
They heard artillery fire, saw flashes of light, and noticed heavy smoke rising over the road in front of them. The road was also littered with trees that had been shelled to death.
The situation for those that remain in the city is bleak.