Certain ’major players’ want to replace me because I will never recognize any part of Ukraine as Russian territory, — Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he will not agree to recognize any part of Ukraine as Russian, even if an influential politician wants to replace him because of this stance.
He made these remarks in an interview on the show "Piers Morgan Uncensored," according to Censor.NET.
Ceding territory
A journalist asked whether Zelenskyy was prepared, in negotiations, to cede part of the territory—such as the Donbas—and whether an agreement was possible that would involve the transfer of any Ukrainian land to Russia.
"There's a reason why some major players want to replace me: I will never accept Ukrainian land as Russian. Yes, I'm a realist and I understand that people are more important than one or two kilometers. But it's not about the kilometers—it's about the land and the homes. That's what matters. Yes, it's occupied, but this territory is only temporarily occupied," he said.
Zelenskyy added that he is seeking a path to dialogue and trying to steer this process, because these territories are Ukrainian, and the people who want to be Ukrainians will be Ukrainians.
According to the president, the occupied territories will be returned one way or another in the future. He suggested that this would happen as a result of Russian losses and a change in Russia’s leadership.
"Everything will be returned… because a lot will change, and Russia’s leader will change. Of course, not the next one—if the next one is the same, then in about ten years," the president said.
The goal is to end the war
When asked what his goal was, Zelenskyy replied: to stop the war and make peace.
"Stop this war. Make peace. Stay where we are. Everything will return to normal, because we are a real country, we are real Ukrainians, and this entire occupied territory is only temporarily occupied. I am certain of this," the head of state emphasized.
The president also stated that, in his opinion, Putin's goal is the complete occupation of Ukraine, which the Ukrainian military has already thwarted.
