Wladimir Klitschko joins Ukraine army defence to fight Russia if war breaks out

Ukraine: Vitali Klitschko vows to defend country from Russia

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Boxing icon Wladimir Klitschko has joined his brother Vitali in the Ukrainian army to defend the country should Russia invade. It is reported the brothers have joined a voluntary territorial defence squad, the units found in each major city and urban area in case of a full Russian invasion. 

According to a number of reports, former unified heavyweight champion Klitschko enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve army in Kiev on Wednesday.

Klitschko insisted his patriotic nature for Ukraine compelled him to help defend it against a potential invasion by Russia. 

There have been consistent reports around the world suggesting a possible military attack for weeks after Russia placed thousands of troops close to the Ukrainian border.

Vitali Klitschko, the elder brother of the two, retired from boxing in December 2013 to pursue a full-time political career. 

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He is currently the mayor of Kiev after assuming the position in 2014.

Both Klitschko brothers were present during the opening of a Territorial Defense Forces recruitment center in Kiev.

“One district from here, my little girl is going to school,” Wladimir said, according to Reuters.  

“The school is currently closed because the ambassadors have sent the families home.

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“It is the love, the love for my city, my home, my family, my neighbours, my daughter that has brought me here today, that I took this initiative and am now taking part in this territorial defence.”

Vitali Klitschko insisted that while a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Russia is undoubtedly preferred, he is ready to fight to defend his country.

“If not, we have to prepare to take weapons in our hands, and defend the country,” he said.

The 50-year-old declared Ukraine must be prepared ‘for any scenario’ as there were no immediate signs of tensions being quashed, despite diplomatic talks between the two nations.

With Ukraine on high alert over a possible military confrontation with Russia, some Ukrainian officials have been critical of Kiev being left out of high-level diplomatic talks between the U.S., NATO and Russia aimed at averting any confrontation.

Ukraine is not a member of NATO nor the EU, but has a pro-Western government. 

Russia insists it has no plans to invade Ukraine but it has already annexed a part of its territory – Crimea – in 2014 and supports two pro-Russian, self-proclaimed republics in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

While Vitali has called for Ukrainian citizens to defend their country, he admitted there is little appetite for more bloodshed, particularly given the deaths of over 13,000 people in east Ukraine in an ongoing conflict between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region. 

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