Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out giving up any of his country’s territory in a possible peace deal with Russia.
In an interview on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s all-out invasion, he warned that recognizing the land would mean Russia would “keep coming back”, while Western arms would bring peace closer.
Mr. Zielinski also said that the predicted spring action had begun.
He said that Russian attacks are already taking place from many directions.
However, he believes Ukrainian forces can continue to resist Russian advances until they are able to launch a counter-offensive – although he reiterated his calls for more military aid from the West.
“Of course, modern weapons accelerate peace. Weapons are the language Russia understands,” Mr Zelensky told.
He met with UK and EU leaders last week to bolster international support and demand modern weapons to defend his country. When Ukraine’s president asked for modern fighter jets, UK Prime Minister Rashid Singh said there was “nothing”.
But the speed with which Western weapons have arrived has increasingly disillusioned Kaif. The supply of battle tanks – promised last month by Western countries including Germany, the US and Britain – is still believed to be weeks away from reaching the battlefield.
President Zelensky also addressed the threat made by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko that he would launch a war with Russian troops from his territory if a single Ukrainian soldier crossed the border.
“I hope [Belarus] will not join [the war],” he said. “If that happens, we will fight and survive.” He added that it would be a “big mistake” to allow Russia to use Belarus as a staging post for another attack.
Russian forces launched part of their full-scale invasion of Belarus 12 months ago. They pushed south towards the Ukrainian capital of Kiev but were repulsed after suffering heavy casualties and had to withdraw within weeks.
Asked if he was surprised by Russia’s tactics in the war, Mr Zelenskiy described them as “priceless”.
“The way they destroyed everything. If their soldiers get those orders, it means they share the same values.”
Ukrainian figures released this week show that Russian troops in Ukraine are dying in higher numbers than at any time since the first week of their invasion this month. The figures could not be confirmed, but the UK Ministry of Defense said the trends were “probably correct”.
“Today, our survival is our unity,” Mr. Zielinski said of how he thought the war would end. “I believe that Ukraine is fighting for its survival.” He said that his country is moving towards Europe economically and through its values.
“We have chosen this path. We want security guarantees. Any territorial compromise will weaken us as a state.”
“It’s not about compromising ourselves,” he said. “Why should we fear it? There are millions of compromises in our lives every day.
“The question is with whom? With Putin? No. Because there is no trust. Talk with him? No, because there is no trust.”
