Protect Its Border With Russia And Belarus, President Zelensky: We Prepare All Scenarios

President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Presidentt.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky said protecting Ukraine's borders was a "constant priority" and his country was prepared for all possible scenarios against Russia and its Belarusian allies.

"Protecting our borders, both with Russia and Belarus, is our priority," President Zelensky said in his evening video address.

"We are preparing all possible defense scenarios," he said.

President Zelensky made his remarks on the night of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Belarus, amid discussions about a possible new attack by Moscow and it could have come from Belarus.

In his speech, President Zelensky issued a new call to Western countries to give Ukraine an effective air defense. He also said his forces controlled the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, where some of the fiercest fighting broke out.

Earlier, President Zelensky on Sunday proposed holding a summit of global peace this winter.

"We offer the Peace Formula to the world. It's really fair. We offer it because there are no champions in the war, there are no draw," President Zelensky said in a video message released by his office.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February, in what it called a "special military operation". The conflict has killed thousands of civilians and displaced millions from their destroyed homes.

"I announced the initiative to hold a Global Peace Formula Summit this winter. A summit to unite all countries in the world for global peace," he said.

Russia fired more than 70 missiles at Ukraine on Friday in one of its toughest bombings since the start of the war, crippling electricity in the second-largest city and forcing Kyiv to implement an emergency blackout nationwide.