Ukraine accuses Russia of seeking mercenaries, terrorists to fight its war

All economic ties with Russia should be cut, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urges Finnish parliament

Ukraine on Friday accused Moscow of trying to recruit mercenaries, militants, and terrorists to wage Russia’s war against its western neighbor.

“They’re looking for mercenaries from all over the world. They are sending the militants from all the terrorist groups and private armies that were established by some of the Russian officials,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Finland’s parliament in a video address, continuing his addresses to foreign lawmakers, seeking a harder line against Moscow.

Zelenskyy hailed Finland for imposing sanctions on Russia, also stressing that “the war of Russia against Ukraine is decisive” not only for the future of Ukraine and its people but also for all those bordering Russia.

Russia and Finland share a 1,340-kilometer (833-mile) border, and in the early days of World War II Russian troops invaded Finland.