Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday evening that he had held another meeting with the command devoted to the situation on all sections of the front. “Preparing for any escalation by the enemy is a priority for the foreseeable future,” he said. In turn, in an interview with the BBC, the Ukrainian leader ruled out the possibility of giving up part of the country’s territory as part of a possible peace deal with Russia.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky informed in a recording published on Thursday evening that on that day he held another meeting with the command devoted to the situation on all sections of the front.
According to the information provided by the Ukrainian leader, the supply of arms and ammunition, military training, plans and capabilities of the Russian army, and the potential of the Ukrainian response were also discussed.
“Maintaining the situation at the front, preparing for any escalation by the enemy, is a priority for the near future,” Zelensky said. “Progress on further liberating our land is a priority that we are diligently preparing,” he added.
Volodymyr Zelensky Facebook/zelenskiy.official
He also reported about 100 Ukrainian servicemen and one civilian returning home from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner exchange. A civilian is the deputy mayor of occupied Enerhodar.
Zelensky excludes the possibility of territorial concessions
In an interview with the British BBC on Thursday, the Ukrainian leader ruled out the possibility of giving up part of the country’s territory as part of a possible peace deal with Ukraine. Russia.
“Any territorial compromise would make us weaker as a state,” he said. – It’s not just a compromise. Why should we be afraid of it? In life, we make millions of compromises every day. The question is: with whom? With Putin? No, because there is no trust. dialogue with him? No, because there is no trust, he explained.
He stressed that relinquishing any piece of territory would mean that Russia could “keep coming back”, while Western weapons would bring peace closer. – Of course, modern weapons speed up peace. Weapons are the only language Russia understands, Zelensky noted.
Damage after a Russian missile attack on KramatorskPhoto from February 1, 2023EPA/YEVGEN HONCHARENKO
The Ukrainian president also said that the anticipated spring offensive has already begun. “Russian attacks are already coming from several directions,” he said, adding that he believed that Ukraine it can continue to hold them back until it can launch a counteroffensive of its own. However, he repeated his appeal to the West to increase military aid.
“Our survival and our unity is the only goal. We are moving towards Europe”
He also referred to Lukashenko’s threat that if at least one Ukrainian soldier crosses the border, he will Belarus it will fight the war from its territory alongside the Russian troops. – I hope he doesn’t join. If this happens, we will fight and survive,” Zelensky assured, stressing that such a step would be “a huge mistake” by Lukashenko.
Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko kremlin.ru
Asked if he was surprised by Russia’s tactics in the war, Zelensky described them as “worthless.” – Their way is to destroy everything. If their soldiers received (and carried out) these orders, it means that they share the same values, he noted.
– Today, our survival and our unity is the only goal. We are heading towards Europe. Ukraine has chosen this path, we cannot lose,” Zelensky said when asked how he thought the war would end.
Main photo source: Facebook/zelenskiy.official