Zelensky accuses Russia of committing 'genocide' in Ukraine

Europe 1 with AFP 4:17 p.m., April 3, 2022, modified at 4:20 p.m., April 3, 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday accused Russia of committing "genocide" in Ukraine to wipe out "the whole nation", a day after scores of bodies were found on the streets of a town near kyiv after Russian forces left .

“It is about the extermination of all these nationalities”

"Yes, this is genocide. The elimination of the whole nation and people, we are citizens of Ukraine. We have more than 100 nationalities. It is about the destruction and extermination of all these nationalities “, he said in an interview with the American channel CBS.

"And this is happening in 21st century Europe," he sighed, denouncing "the torture of the whole nation".

Ukraine had previously accused the Russian military of committing a 'deliberate massacre' of civilians in Boutcha, a town northwest of kyiv, as well as other 'horrors' in the now 'liberated' regions. invader," which sparked Western outrage and calls for additional sanctions against Moscow.

Call for 100% withdrawal of Russian troops

President Zelensky called for the "withdrawal of 100% of their troops" to return "at least" to the situation before February 24, the day of the Russian invasion.

“It would allow us to start discussing other questions about the end of the occupation, how we live after this,” he added on CBS, according to excerpts broadcast on Twitter.

"I can't even have a meeting as long as they are bombing. So first the ceasefire, then we can meet Russian President" Vladimir Putin, added Volodymyr Zelensky.

"The two of us will discuss. When the end of the war comes, and then we will discuss security guarantees together, and the status of neutrality", while "preserving our sovereignty and a powerful army", he said. he estimated, listing the Ukrainian proposals during the ongoing talks with Moscow.

"And if this agreement is violated, we must be given the opportunity to defend ourselves," he warned. "Once we have discussed all this, all troops must be withdrawn. And after their withdrawal, we can sit down with the countries that will serve as guarantors of security,” he added.