'If we are in NATO' - Zelenskyy sets condition to return territories diplomatically
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine will never legally recognize its occupied lands as Russian territory. However it is ready to discuss the diplomatic return of the land if it is a member of NATO, stated President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with NBC News.
"Judicially, we will not recognize … our occupied territory like territory of Russia. We will never do it," Zelenskyy said.
At the same time, he added that he was ready to discuss giving up the occupied territory as part of a diplomatic agreement under which Ukraine could join NATO.
"Yes, we have to return it (the occupied territory - ed.) diplomatically. Yes, we can. If we are in NATO, it’s understandable why diplomatically, it’s very understandable," the president said.
He noted that the priority is not to lose people. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine will look for a good diplomatic way to return the territorial losses, but "the people are most important for today."
The president also said that he still believes that Ukraine can win the war militarily.
"Of course, yes. But it's many losses. We understand how many. I think it's too much. And I'm not sure that with such speed. If our partners do not help, support, it will be difficult. It will be long. Longer than it can be," he explained.
In the same interview, Zelenskyy said that he did not believe Russian leader Vladimir Putin's alleged readiness to cease fire. In addition, he believes that negotiations with him would turn into a "dialogue with a terrorist."
