Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a long interview to British presenter Piers Morgan. They discussed a number of important issues. Among them are — elections during the war, negotiations with Russia, Ukraine's losses and security guarantees.
ICTV Facts collected the main statements from the interview with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Negotiations with Putin
Zelensky said that he is ready to sit down at the negotiating table with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin if this is the only option that will bring peace to the citizens of Ukraine and not lose people.
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— Of course, we will go for this option, for a meeting with these four participants. What difference does it make what my attitude towards him? I will not be kind to him. I consider him an enemy. Honestly, I think that he also considers me an enemy, — Zelensky said.
In his opinion, Ukraine, Russia, Europe and the United States of America should be present during the negotiations.
Losses of Ukraine and Russia
The President said that more than 45,100 Ukrainian soldiers have died in the war against Russia.
As Zelensky noted, soldiers were wounded 390 thousand times. According to him, this is the number of cases when soldiers were wounded. He explained that the number of wounded soldiers is less, because there are cases when people return to the battlefield.
At the same time, he is not ready to name the exact number of missing and captured, because there are problems with this, but Ukraine is working on this issue.
Zelensky noted that Russia lost about 350 thousand soldiers killed. According to him, 50-70 thousand occupiers are listed as missing, and 600-700 thousand Russian military personnel were wounded.
Elections during martial law
The President believes that it is impossible to hold elections now during martial law, because it is necessary to change the legislation and the Constitution of Ukraine. There are also challenges with the inclusion of votes of the military, people under occupation and abroad.
— As for my legitimacy, I was elected by 73% of the population. You know, I have always said that I am open to any elections. Yes, there can be no elections during a war. There are big challenges, — Zelensky said.
According to the head of state, ending martial law in Ukraine is what Putin wants. This will mean that most of the military of the Defense Forces will return home.
— What security guarantees does Ukraine have? Will Russia come again with an occupation against us? It will, — said Zelensky.
He stressed that it is impossible to hold elections without strong security guarantees for Ukraine — that is why answers to these questions are needed.
Liberation of the occupied territories
Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that Ukraine cannot currently return all of the temporarily occupied territories.
According to him, the support of partners is not enough to liberate all of the Ukrainian territories. He believes that the land can be returned through a combined approach, or more precisely, through political and diplomatic means.
The President stressed that Ukraine cannot recognize these territories as Russian, because there can be no compromise in the sovereignty of the state. However, he is convinced that Russia will return everything to Ukraine if its partners put pressure on Putin.
Return of Nuclear Weapons or Joining NATO
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that nuclear weapons could be a sufficient guarantee of security against a new Russian attack if Ukraine does not become a NATO member.
— Give us back our nuclear weapons, give us missile systems. Our partners will help finance a million-strong army. Move your contingent to those regions of our country where we want stability, so that people can have peace, — he emphasized.
Zelensky noted that if Ukraine does not become part of NATO, then Putin should leave completely. However, Ukraine will raise the issue of financial compensation for all losses.
— He invaded because he was afraid that we would become members of NATO. Okay, we are not members of NATO — give us back our land. This should be considered exactly like that, — the Ukrainian president summarized.
