For the first time since the beginning of a full-scale war, the President organized a large press conference.
On Saturday, April 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held the first major press conference since the start of a full-scale war with Russia. It took place at one of the Kyiv metro stations.
UNIAN publishes the main statements of the president.
On negotiations with Putin
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is confident that indirect negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin through his proxies or third countries will not produce the desired result. Whether negotiations with Putin will take place in Turkey depends on the decision of the Russian president, the president stressed.
When asked about the risks to one’s life during direct negotiations with Putin Zelensky said: “I am not afraid of meeting with the president, if we talk about assassination attempts. I simply have no right to be afraid. Because our people have shown that they are not afraid of anything, they stopped tanks with their bare hands. Like the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guardsmen. People are afraid for their children Yes, and therefore a normal leader should not be afraid when it comes to our state and independence.”
The President also answered a question from an UNIAN correspondent about What would he say to Putin at the meeting.
On the positions of Russia and Ukraine in the negotiations on security guarantees
The President confirmed that the RF stop issuing ultimatums and currently there are several key questions which are being discussed.
According to the president, in order for Ukraine to withdraw from negotiations with the Russian Federation, there may be several reasons.
On the role of Abramovich in the negotiations
Zelensky confirmed information about the visit of Russian businessman Roman Abramovich to Kyiv and outlined the role of the oligarch in the negotiations.
On the consequences of a full-scale invasion for Russia
Zelensky expressed confidence that Putin and his accomplices appear before the tribunal.
He stressed that this is an international process, an international court, which can last for years. Whether this process will be concentrated in The Hague is not essential.
Zelensky is also sure that Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine are “this is Nazism.”
He is convinced that the word “rashism” to describe what the Russian military does is accurate and will go down in history.
On Russia’s plans for a “corridor in Transnistria”
Zelensky said that there are threats that Russia will advance towards the border of Moldova and Transnistria, But whether this will have a result – “we’ll see.”
“Can a new Mariupol happen in Odessa? Yes, maybe they have thousands of tanks and equipment, they have plans for a corridor to Moldova. I don’t believe that they will stop,” the president believes.
About Mariupol
Zelensky, speaking about the situation in Mariupol, noted that today is one of the most difficult days.
He noted that so far there is no possibility to unblock the blockaded city by military means, but there is hope that this will be done.
To organize humanitarian corridors, Zelensky expects to involve Pope Francis.
“I would like him to help unblock humanitarian corridors to Mariupol, we have addressed him with such a request,” the president said.
About international support
Zelensky criticized the UN Secretary General António Guterres for the fact that he, in his desire to return the world, decided to go first to Moscow, and then to Kyiv.
The President also emphasized that the decision not to take Ukraine into NATO was a big mistake of the West.
Speaking about diplomatic relations with Georgia, Zelensky said that he did not understand the latest decisions of the political leadership of the country. He sharply commented on the country’s unwillingness to impose sanctions and stressed that so far there are no reasons to return the Ukrainian ambassador to Georgia.
At the same time he noted positive shifts in relations with partners. Zelensky stressed that the United States plays a big role, both by providing aid and by facilitating aid from other countries.
Asked if Ukraine is happy with the level of support, Zelenskiy said: “I wish it was faster.”
The President also stated that does not consider the option that our partners will not hand over the weapons promised to Ukraine. He is sure that the partners have no alternative.
On the causes of the war, its course and end
Zelensky believes that the Russian Federation has always wanted to have influence on Ukraine and now decided to achieve this goal by military means.
The President noted that in none of the past wars unleashed by the Russian Federation, the Russians did not resort to such destruction and such “military rudeness” (torture, rape) as they resort to in Ukraine.
He did not rule out the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons in this war.
At the same time, the president assured that as soon as we have more weapons, we will go ahead and take back our territories.
After the war, Zelensky is sure, Ukraine become one of the strongest states in Europe.
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