Monitoring Desk
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Ukraine’s allies to keep their word and support the nation claim a “victory of values” as the conflict with Russia ticks into its second year.
The Ukrainian President has given a lengthy live news conference on the anniversary of Russian invasion on Friday with media representatives from across the world.
Zelensky remained defiant, confident Ukraine could win the war within another year. “If we stay as one strong fist, and if our partners are united for our victory of values – if they stick to all their words, to all their terms, and it’s not just blah blah blah, I believe in it,” he said.
“I am certain there will be victory, I do not think; I know it will happen this year,” the president told journalists. “We have everything for it: motivation, belief, friends, diplomacy… We have united all powers against this invasion.”
“We know exactly what Putin wants, what the Kremlin wants… So all of us need to be focused, and for each of us to do our work, we shall have victory because the truth is on our side.”
Volodymyr Zelensky calls for world’s continued support
Zelensky also took the opportunity to call for the world’s continued support. He joked with one British journalist about asking Prime Minister Rishi Sunak where their long-awaited fighter jets were but also suggested plans obtain some from other European partners were in the works.
The president became emotional when discussing how the war could end, arguing that a diplomatic path could be followed only if Russia halted its aggression. “Please respect our fundamental right to live on our land. Leave our territory. Stop bombing our territory.”
“Stop destroying all our infrastructure, energy, drinking water. Stop bombing towns, and villages, killing dogs and cats, simply animals, torching forests,” Zelensky said.
Once the war was over, President Zelensky told reporters, “I don’t care what happens to Russia. They have their own state and own country, and democracy. If they thought about their own country, there would be no war.”
Zelensky also responded to questions about his biggest disappointments and darkest moments during the war. Everyone who left when the war broke out instead of fighting for their country disappointed him, he said.
