Can Zelenskyy defend Kyiv with a diplomatic shield?

Can Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's diplomatic offensive help as Russia approaches Kyiv? Read on to find out.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is going on a diplomatic offensive to invite and host world leaders amid heavy shelling on the suburbs of the capital. Widely seen as an astute posture on part of the Ukrainian leadership, it is yet to be seen if the move would be able to push the stall of the Russian forces near Kyiv even further. On Wednesday he stressed on the need for "more time", in order to achieve resolutions in favour of Ukraine.

This comes on the back of an impromptu visit to Kyiv by the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia on Tuesday. The Ukrainian President backed up the high profile visit next day, with a fresh request addressed to world leaders to visit the capital city of Kyiv—currently under heavy attack by Russian forces. "I invite all friends of Ukraine to visit Kyiv.

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It can be dangerous here because our sky is not yet closed to Russian missiles and planes. You know for sure that the eyes of all the people of the world are now focused on our capital, on Ukrainians”, Zelenskyy said in a video message released on Wednesday early morning.

The White House also confirmed earlier that next week, US President Joe Biden will make his first visit to Europe since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. It was not clarified if Biden would meet his Ukrainian counterpart during his Europe tour. Kyiv witnessed a full-day curfew even as Russian forces continued attacks on capital’s suburbs including attack on a 12-story apartment building in neighboring Shevchenkivskyi district.

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Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic said that international community was informed about the Tuesday visit of the European leaders by international organizations, such as the United Nations. This comes amid reports of attempted naval blockade being created by Russian naval forces and targeting of new areas in western Ukraine.