Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to Reuters and CNN on Tuesday. He again called for a halt to the Russian invasion and for worldwide support.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, one man has stood out: President Volodymyr Zelensky. Former actor and comedian, the one who was elected head of Ukraine is hailed for his courage. While several countries offered to exfiltrate him, fearing for his safety, he categorically refused to leave and flee. In an interview with CNN and Reuters on Tuesday, however, he said he doesn’t want the “icon” image he’s been given lately. “It’s all very serious, it’s not a movie…I’m not an icon, I think Ukraine is one,” he said.
Head of state and warlord, Volodymyr Zelensky has once again called for an end to Russian military operations and the support of the rest of the world. He claimed that Russia does target civilian and historical areas, while Vladimir Putin claims that it is the Ukrainians who use civilians as human shields. “As you can see, they don’t pay attention to targets. We see children being killed… We are only defending our right to live”, commented President Zelensky, explaining that Moscow “launches its missiles in old Kiev, the heart of Kiev”. “We have to talk. Everyone needs to stop fighting and go back to the state we were in 5 or 6 days ago. It is important to stop bombarding the people so that we can move forward and sit down at the negotiating table,” he commented, remaining perplexed about the possibility of finding an agreement with Russia.
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During this interview, Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke to US President Joe Biden, who was due to speak to Congress a few hours later on Tuesday. According to him, it is urgent to make Americans understand the implications of the Russian invasion. “He is one of the leaders of the world and it is very important that the people of the United States understand that despite the fact that the war is in Ukraine…it is a war for the values of democracy, freedom .” During his speech, Joe Biden called Vladimir Putin a dictator, saying he is “more isolated than ever”.
“Alone against Russia, we will not succeed”
To Reuters and CNN Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated calls for the United States and NATO to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine. “I have already addressed and (spoken to) some Western leaders about this request, because I believe that leaders must support democratic countries and they must help them. When we talk about no-fly (zones), we look at our past…and that doesn’t mean we have to drag another country into war. Having said that, frankly, you know, everyone is drawn into the war now”. “I spoke to Biden several times. And I told them many times that Ukraine will resist and fight harder than anyone, but alone against Russia we will not succeed. That’s why if someone wants to help us, the world must act quickly, “said the Ukrainian president.
According to him, if NATO fails to protect Ukraine, “then all these troops will be at your borders, in Poland, in Lithuania… and you will face greater problems. There will be other provocations there”. The latter also underlined the incredible resistance of his people to the Russian soldiers who, according to him, “have no idea what they are doing, they do not know our streets, our people, our philosophy, our mentality, our aspirations, the kind of people we are, they don’t know anything. They are just there to kill and die.” And to conclude with strong words for his country, the “heart of Europe”. “I believe that now Europe sees in Ukraine something special for this world. That’s why the world can’t lose that ‘something special’.
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