Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a surprise press conference in the Kyiv metro. At the meeting with the journalists he spoke about the status of the negotiations. “I would like to meet Putin personally – he said -. This war can only be ended by those who started it”. Regarding the hypothesis of a referendum in Kherson, he then explains: “In this case we will not take part in any negotiations”.
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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds a press conference to answer questions from foreign media on the situation of the war in Ukraine. “After the victory – he said at the beginning of the meeting – I will talk to you all, that’s a promise”. Zelenskyy expressed confidence in the future victory of Ukraine, repeatedly emphasizing the courage of citizens during the press conference. In particular, the President of Ukraine he concentrated on the status of the negotiations which defined the best way to end the war. He also expressed his willingness to meet Vladimir Putin. No surprise in the last few hours: Zelenskyy has suggested meeting with the Russian leader since the beginning of the conflict, which has never happened, or at least has never happened. “I still want to meet Vladimir Putin – he said – and I want to do it since the beginning of this war. I’m sure that meeting in person is the only way to get results. A mediated meeting, no matter what kind, will never produce the desired effects. This one. War can only be stopped by those who started it.
The Kiev leader also said do not fear attacks on his life. “I know about Russia’s attempts to kill me,” he explained, “but I’m not afraid. My collaborators and my family are scared. Nothing. All citizens are fighting for freedom, and I owe them a try at the negotiating table. No leader wants his people to die. There are two ways to resolve the conflict: military and diplomatic. The table of negotiations is important not only for us and my people, but also for our foreign partners.” Any hypothesis of a meeting between Ukraine and Russia first and then between Zelenskyy and Putin would be doomed to failure referendum Russian for independence in the region Kherson. A referendum like the one held in Crimea in the Occupied Territories in 2014 would abruptly halt any kind of negotiations between the two countries, the Ukrainian president confirmed during the press conference.
“If the Russians hold a pseudo-referendum for independence in the Kherson region, Ukraine will not participate at any negotiating table. The people currently in the occupied territories will certainly not help the attackers. We know this. These places are not for -Ukraine, but part of Ukraine An illiberal pseudo-referendum would prevent any attempt at a diplomatic solution.
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In answering journalists’ questions, Zelenskyi also brought up the issue of NATO membership. “The alliance was a clear mistake – he said -. NATO made a mistake not to include Ukraine long ago. Now we see the effects of that indecisiveness. Nobody expected our country to be so strong and resist so intensely. Our European and international partners have clearly said that if we surrender in three days, there would be no sanctions against Moscow.”