Ukraine’s president has said his forces are still in control of Kyiv and is appealing to the country’s “friends” abroad to join the fight.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a fresh address on Saturday: “Everyone who can defend Ukraine abroad please do it directly in a united way.

“Every friend of Ukraine who wants to join Ukraine in defending the country please come over, we will give you weapons.”

It comes after he appeared in a social media video from the streets of Kyiv early on Saturday to counter claims he had taken up an American offer to evacuate.

“Much fake information has appeared on the internet, as if I had called to lay down arms and if there had been an evacuation,” he said. “Here’s the situation. I’m here.”

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