Ukraine President Zelensky Says Russia Might Try To Seize Kharkiv

Photo of President Zelensky from his official site  

Daily Mail: Ukraine president predicts 'large-scale war' as US crunch talks with Russia produce NO breakthrough as Moscow is warned to expect a 'swift, severe and a united response' if it moves to invade 

* US Secretary of State and Russian foreign minister met in Geneva for crunch talks over Ukraine crisis today 

* Blinken said Russia has to choose between path of diplomacy or conflict, and US 'will meet it on either path' 

* He said there is 'no room' to negotiate Ukraine's future, after Russian demanded a ban on NATO membership 

* Lavrov accused NATO of 'working against' Russia and stirring up 'hysteria' about invasion of Ukraine 

* He denied Moscow is planning to attack, and instead raised 'concerns' about weapons supplied to Kiev 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has predicted a 'large-scale' war with Russia if the superpower attempts to occupy the industrial city of Kharkiv - which he believes is a target due to its large Russian-speaking population. 

The stark warning came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken admitted there have been 'no breakthroughs' in crunch talks with his country's former Cold War rival in a bid to prevent an imminent war with Ukraine. 

Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, is the former Soviet republic's second biggest city with a population of about 1.4 million, and Zelenskiy believes it is a 'feasible' target for Putin. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Zelensky says Russia may try to occupy Kharkiv (Ukrinform)  

Update #2: President Zelensky gives candid interview to Washington Post – says Russia might try to seize Kharkiv (Kyiv Post)  

WNU Editor: Ukrainian President Zelenskiy's concerns that Russia may take this part of Ukraine are justified. Kharkiv is Ukraine's second largest city, and the region around Kharkiv is predominantly made up of Russian-Ukrainians. One of my aunts and her family lives there. 

The Western press does not report on it, but there is a great deal of resentment against Kiev in this region because of the anti-Russian language policies that have been enacted in the past few years. 

Knowing the people in this part of Ukraine, I am willing to bet that a good part will support a Russian military incursion. Something that even the Ukrainian President is acknowledging.

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