Zelenskyy says Ukraine wins as long as Putin fails to occupy it
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (facebook.com zelenskyy.official)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that as long as Russia has not occupied Ukraine, the country continues to defend its statehood and national identity, ABC News informs.
On Friday, Zelenskyy spoke with Martha Raddatz, ABC News' Chief Global Affairs Correspondent.
When asked what victory looks like for Ukraine during the war, Zelenskyy said it means the survival of the country.
He explained that Putin's goal is to occupy Ukraine and destroy it.
"Putin's goal is to occupy Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that the war has caused heavy losses. The most important thing for Ukraine is to survive while preserving its statehood, independence, and national identity.
"(Putin -ed.) wants, of course, to occupy us totally. For him, this is victory. And until he can do it, the victory is on our side. So that's why for us to survive is a victory. Because we are surviving with our identity, with our country, with our independence," Zelenskyy said.
Security guarantees for Ukraine and Putin's withdrawal from talks
Since August 18, after a meeting between US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders at the White House, the parties have been actively discussing security guarantees for postwar Ukraine.
On September 4, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing took place in Paris. After the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron said 26 countries are ready to provide military support to Ukraine or participate in a relevant mission.
Zelenskyy clarified that this involves thousands of soldiers. He stressed that security guarantees need to take effect immediately, even before the fighting ends, and should include both military and economic support.
The Ukrainian president said Ukraine's army, which numbers 800,000 and is among the largest and most powerful in Europe, is the country's strongest guarantee of security.
Trump has also offered US security guarantees, but without sending American troops to Ukraine. He emphasized that European countries should play the main role in providing support.
At the same time, preparations for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin have stalled. After Trump announced a bilateral meeting, the Russians denied that Putin had agreed to meet Zelenskyy. The US president said the leaders are not yet ready for negotiations.
However, on September 3, Putin said he does not rule out a meeting, but Zelenskyy would have to travel to Moscow. In his interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy said Putin could come to Kyiv, but he cannot go to the capital of this terrorist while Ukraine faces daily attacks.
