Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday his country was "left alone" to fight Russia after the Kremlin announced a special military operation in the Donbas region.

People rest in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (Photo: AP)

"We have been left alone to defend our state," Zelenskyy said in a video address. "Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don't see anyone."

He said no EU leaders have directly responded to Ukraine’s request to join NATO.