Zelensky said he could not compromise on the country’s sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity.
Washington:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that “fair peace” with Russia meant no compromises to his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but questioned whether peace could be possible. Such an average for parents who have lost their children.
Appearing at a White House press conference with US President Joe Biden in the midst of a brief visit, Zelenskiy personally reaffirmed his conditions for any resolution of the war-torn war. Russian aggression caused nearly 10 months ago.
“I don’t know what peace is,” he began in response to a question about what he saw as a fair way to end a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people, displacing millions. and destroy cities and towns. “It’s a very philosophical description. If there’s a just war, I don’t know.”
“For me as president, peace is not a compromise to my country’s sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity. Compensation for all the damage caused by aggression by Russia caused it,” Zelenskiy continued, referring to a claim for damages from Moscow.
He added that he did not see how there could be peace for parents whose children were killed.
“How can parents lose their son and daughter on the front lines? So what is peace for them? Money is nothing,” the father of two continued. “Compensation has no consequences. They (parents) live by revenge.”
“The longer the war goes on, the longer this aggression lasts, there will be more parents living for the sake of revenge and I know a lot of people like that,” Mr Zelenskiy said.
Responding to a similar question, Biden said the United States shares with Zelenskiy “the correct vision for a free, independent, prosperous and secure Ukraine.”
He and Zelenskiy want the conflict to end, Biden continued, adding that it could be stopped “today if (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has any dignity” and withdraws troops from Ukraine. “But that’s not going to happen.”
Biden said that the United States, its allies and other countries will continue to arm Ukraine, “so that if and when President Zelenskiy is ready to talk to the Russians, he will also be able to succeed, because he will win on the battlefield.”
The Kremlin on Wednesday said it saw no chance of peace talks with Kiev and would continue what Putin called a “special military operation” to rid Ukraine of nationalists and protect protect Russian-speaking communities.
Ukraine and the West believe that Russia is pursuing an illegal and unprovoked war of aggression.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from an aggregated feed.)
Featured video of the day
Messi was transported by plane after fans flooded the team bus during a victory rally
