“Ukrainians are not ready to give their land, to accept that these territories belong to Russia. This is our land,” Zelensky said in an exclusive interview that aired Thursday on CNN’s “The Situation Room.”
“We always talk about it and we intend to prove it,” he added.
Zelensky spoke to CNN at the same time that one of his main Western allies, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, announced he would resign. Speaking in Ukrainian through an interpreter, Zelensky said he was confident Britain’s policy towards Ukraine “will not change” even if the country’s leadership is in turmoil.
“He resigned not because he was in Ukraine. I think, on the contrary, what Johnson was doing for Ukraine helped us a lot. I consider him a friend of Ukraine, but I think his society also supported Ukraine in Europe. That’s why I think the UK is on the side of good, on the side of Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
“And I am sure that the policy of the United Kingdom towards Ukraine does not … change because of the resignation of Boris Johnson. Our relationship has clearly benefited greatly from Boris Johnson’s understanding of things. We went through a lot of dramatic moments pretty quickly. The aid that was needed was delivered quite quickly … whether (his resignation) will affect that speed of aid, I don’t know. I will pray to God that this does not affect this aid.”
Russia’s war with Ukraine has been going on for more than four months now, with no sign that either side will budge anytime soon. Ukraine’s early successes have forced Russia to scale back its original goals of ousting Kyiv, and Moscow’s forces are now focused on seizing territory in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have already occupied most of the Luhansk region, outside of a few pockets of resistance, and are pushing towards the towns of Donetsk. Last week, CNN reported that White House officials are losing confidence that Ukraine will ever be able to regain all the land it has lost to Russia since the war began, even with the help of heavier and more sophisticated weapons that the US and its allies plan to provide Kyiv.
Zelensky acknowledged that Russia controls “almost the entire Luhansk region,” saying his forces are now “fighting on the outskirts of that region.” He said Kyiv withdrew to avoid massive troop losses.
“I don’t even understand what exactly they control there. They destroyed cities, a school. They are the occupiers of the ruins?” Zelensky said.
Zelensky said he was glad that Sweden and Finland were accepted as NATO members, even though the Western military alliance has long resisted accepting Ukraine as a member.
“This is not superficial, but a deep understanding of the risks to these countries due to Russia’s aggressive attitude towards sovereign states,” Zelensky said. “That is why we fully support their membership. The whole world is helping Ukraine, some with humanitarian aid, some with financial or military aid, and both houses of the United States are supporting us.
“The world is doing a lot, but it could have been easier – Ukraine could have been accepted as a member of NATO. It would have been much easier than people imagine.”
Still, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the military support Ukraine has received from the United States, which has provided weapons of greater capacity as the war has dragged on, while urging the West to continue providing military support to help Ukraine continue its fight. you are
“(The) United States is helping Ukraine, helping a lot, but it’s not enough to win. I hope that my confidence will speed up this assistance to Ukraine,” Zelensky said. “We want the increase of this aid – we are fighting for our land, we don’t want people from different countries fighting for our territory. But the US is a world economy and can help us with both arms and finances.
“And also the US can influence the decisions of European countries – this is also political support. I have to be honest, some countries in Europe want a balance between Russia and Ukraine. But thanks to the aid of the United States, they began to support So when I talk about the volume and speed of arms support, I am not only addressing (to) the United States, I am appealing to all world leaders and saying that the faster aid, the increase of your help will save the lives of Ukrainians and help us take back the territories occupied by Russia.”
Asked if the war could end before the end of the year, Zelensky said: “Our country will remain united and united. If the powerful weapon from our partners comes to us in time and if luck and God will be on our side we can achieve many things before the end of the year and we can stop this war. We can stop at least the military part of this war.”
Zelensky also reiterated his call for US President Joe Biden to visit Kyiv, saying it would send a message to Russia and the world.
“We would be happy to see President Biden in Ukraine. I heard that he supported the idea. There are some security issues that prevent his visit, we understand that,” Zelensky said. “I really think it would help the Ukrainians. Ukrainians support the United States, the trust of Ukrainians in the United States is very high, as well as in the United Kingdom, Poland and the Baltic States.
“So the visits of the world leaders, who are not just partners, but true friends – they give a signal, a sign that the United States supports Ukraine, because it believes in the Ukrainian victory and is not afraid of Russia. They are coming despite the missiles. They are not afraid of Putin because the world is much bigger than one leader of one country.”
Add Comment