Ukraine's Zelensky: West must tackle Putin's impunity
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with "Le Parisien," expressed the conviction that Russia, under Putin's rule, has been terrorizing the world, allowing him to act with impunity. He also added that Ukraine cannot currently retake Crimea and Donbas.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a conversation with "Le Parisien," stated that Russia, under Vladimir Putin's governance, has terrorised the world, allowing him to act with impunity. Zelensky admitted that Ukraine currently does not have the strength to recapture Crimea and Donbas, which Russia occupies.
We can only rely on diplomatic pressure from the international community to compel Putin into negotiations - he said.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, admitted that the Ukrainian army does not have sufficient forces to regain Donbas and Crimea, but emphasised that he does not consider relinquishing these territories to Russia. The constitution prohibits Ukraine from such actions, forcing leaders to depend on international diplomatic pressure to negotiate with Russia. Zelensky highlighted the lack of an adequate reaction from the Western world to Russia's aggressive actions under Putin.
Zelensky expressed surprise as to why the West, despite supporting Ukraine, deals with Putin so cautiously.
Why weren't we massively supplied with weapons from the start of the war? What I'm saying may seem impudent. However, I have the feeling that everyone is terrorised by Putin's Russia. He is acting with impunity - he emphasised.
According to Zelensky, any peace talks with Vladimir Putin must be underpinned by a joint action plan or a peace proposal for Russia. He emphasised that potential negotiations cannot be conducted without the active participation of Ukraine, which has become a victim of aggression. He also referred to Donald Trump's election as President of the USA, expressing hope that his administration would continue to support Kyiv and contribute to ending the conflict.
Zelensky on Putin: this is not political games, but missile attacks
The President of Ukraine noted that Putin is not engaged in political games but is attacking with missiles.
Why does the whole world allow him to do this? The United States, India, the European Union... - he enumerated.
In response to a question about the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from joining NATO, Zelensky asked what his country would "receive in exchange" and "who can guarantee that Putin will not return to Ukraine."
Zelensky firmly rejects "freezing" the conflict with Russia, even with the potential takeover of office by Trump. According to him, reaching a quick agreement with Russia may entail risks, and the country does not intend to sacrifice its sovereignty for diplomatic gains. The President stresses that a long-term strategy is necessary, not temporary solutions.
According to Zelensky, the world is not reacting decisively enough to Putin's nuclear threats.
All possible sanctions should be implemented to prevent any leader - Putin or anyone else - from even considering it (i.e., nuclear war - ed. PAP). Unfortunately, we do not see decisive enough reactions - he said.
