UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelensky came under fire yesterday for allowing a member of the far-right Azov Battalion to address the Greek parliament.

The session, which had already been subjected to a boycott by the Greek Communist Party (KKE) over Mr Zelensky’s continued purges of communists and left groups, aimed to raise support for military aid.

Trade unionists and communists have blocked shipments of Nato weapons bound for Ukraine for almost two weeks and many were teargassed and detained during protests on Wednesday. 

The Azov fighter spoke after Mr Zelensky had addressed lawmakers via videolink when he appealed for support to defend the city of Mariupol, where the far-right organisation has its headquarters. 

Syriza spokeswoman Olga Gerovasil demanded an explanation and said it was “unacceptable that today, together with President Zelensky, a member of the Azov Battalion also addressed the Greek parliament.”

The Cypriot party Akel refused to attend an address by the Ukrainian leader yesterday evening in protest.

“Today is a challenge for every democrat,” the party said.

Calls have continued for war crimes charges to be brought against Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes committed in Bucha. 

Russia denies the accusations, saying that it is being blamed in a “monstrous forgery” designed to justify increased sanctions and military aid to Kiev. 

Video footage verified by the New York Times on Wednesday showed Ukrainian soldiers executing their Russian counterparts with their hands behind their backs in Bucha. 

“He’s still alive,” one of the Ukrainian soldiers is heard saying. “Film these marauders. Look, he’s still alive. He’s gasping,” he adds before pumping three bullets into the Russian.  

It is not clear when the ambush took place although it is believed to have been last week.