The Klitschko Brothers Tell Davos That The ‘Biggest Mistake’ Is Thinking The Ukraine War Doesn’t Affect Everyone | Business Newsletter
The Klitschko brothers, heavyweight boxing champions turned defenders of Ukraine, have warned European leaders that they must fully unite against Russia or face the continent’s instability. this.
Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv, and his brother Wladimir, who runs their charity, met political and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
They told Sky News that a unified effort to cut off Russia’s oil and gas supplies, impose tighter sanctions on Moscow’s banks and businesses, and complete boycott sports is necessary to liberate Ukraine.
Vitali Klitschko said: “I have a message for all politicians right now in Europe, here in Davos, and for everyone in Europe and around the world. If someone is seeing the war is far away, they’ll see that war doesn’t touch my heart, personally, they’re making the biggest mistake.
“This war can destabilize the situation in the whole region. This war can take a toll on everyone in Europe. That’s why right now we need the unity of all countries. That is the key to peace.”
“Unity is very important, it is very important to stop the war, unite, commit to stopping Russia, introduce sanctions, it is very important for Ukraine to be a free, democratic country. , independent of the territory. integrity.”
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Wladimir Klitschko says the developing world faces lack of food as a consequence of Russia’s actions, added its voice to call for a humanitarian corridor to be opened in the Black Sea to allow grain exports.
“The consequences of this war are terrifying,” he said. “Ukraine is one of the biggest grain suppliers to Africa and Asia and with the Black Sea blocked we will have famine in those areas. Not only those areas, or Ukraine, It’s not just a local war, it’s going to spread further.”
He also called for a complete boycott of Russia from global events, urging the International Olympic Committee to expel them from the next Olympics.
Vitali Klitschko surveying damage from Russian bombardment of Kyiv in March
“In Switzerland, IOC Lausanne, the decision must be made to isolate Russia from the upcoming Olympics, to show Russia that these war crimes must be stopped. It can never happen again, but most importantly it has to be stopped, because every day that it continues more people die.”
Klitschkos spent three days at the World Economic Forum seeking political and business support for the war effort, lending their records and political standing to a large Ukrainian diplomatic mission there.
Vitali Klitschko said Kyiv is returning to something close to normal, with cafes reopening and some working life returning despite the continued threat of Russian missiles.
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The War for Severodonetsk
The Russia bombarded cities Still, in the Donbas region continued, and the brothers reacted to footage shot by Sky News Reporter Alex Crawford and her team in Severodonetsk.
Wladimir said: “War has a terrible face. “We saw all the corpses of young women and old men being killed, you can tell they were tortured and executed with gunshots to the head, with their hands tied behind them. back.
“And this war was started by Russia. Russia is trying to justify why this war started, so isolating Russia from the world is extremely important.”
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Asked if Ukraine would win the greatest battle he and his brother have ever faced, Vitali said: “What other choice do we have? Give up? It’s not an option.
“We are fighting for our future, for our family, for our country. And we are more certain. We will stop this war and Ukraine will be free of aggressors. , and Ukraine will be part of the European democratic family.”
