Kyiv mayor welcomes capital’s citizens back to ‘a safer city’
The Ukrainian capital is ready to welcome its citizens back after six months of war, mayor Vitali Klitschko says.
The Ukrainian capital is ready to welcome its citizens back after six months of war, mayor Vitali Klitschko says.
The former world heavyweight boxing champion said although the capital remained Russia President Vladimir Putin’s ultimate target, it was now far better defended than it had been when it managed to repulse a Russian assault in April.
He stressed it was not possible to give an absolute guarantee of safety to anyone in Ukraine as long as the Russians were able to strike it with long-range missiles.
A million residents, about a quarter of the capital’s population, have yet to return. There is a widespread fear that the families of refugee children will never return if they start the new school year abroad, contributing to a national demographic crisis.
One of the reasons the city has been able to return to normal life – albeit with economic woes and a curfew – was help from the West, but allies must not ease pressure in the hope of a peace deal with Mr Putin, Mr Klitschko said.
The Times
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