-924c3c302c27387e19f6c44aaeb98745.png "Maryna Kulakova")
The “Ukraine 2024. Independence” forum is happening now in Kyiv, featuring Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Defense Minister, Head of the President’s Office, and more.
Key points from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
It cannot be said that Russia is very eager to end the war. The war simply needs to be stopped. When they really want to, they don’t launch 230 strikes and kill children.
There have been 230 strikes. Our system worked, but not everything was intercepted.
Regarding diplomatic solutions:
We aim to complete these 3 points by November as a preparatory stage for the second peace summit.
The first meeting will be on energy.
The second will focus on the sea.
The third will address humanitarian issues.
The meeting in Qatar was not canceled but was held online.
The occupation of Kharkiv region has been stopped.
Sumy and Chernihiv regions were in Russia’s plans. The sequence of these buffer zones was unknown, but intelligence provided such information.
Movements of Russian troops from Kharkiv and the Zaporizhzhia directions have already occurred.
As for Donetsk direction—that is their strategic focus. They are interested in the full occupation of Donbas. They will not succeed, and we are working on that.
The Kursk region is a very important plan.
The second plan concerns Ukraine’s strategic position in the global security infrastructure.
A theoretical package for pressuring Russia to end the war through diplomatic means will be presented in September and handed over to Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.
Regarding territorial concessions:
We are not ready to change our territories for any negotiations.
Regarding restrictions on strikes deep into Russia:
They try not to discuss this with me (Western colleagues).
Regarding Kursk operation as pressure on Russia:
Was there advance towards Pokrovsk before Kursk, at the same pace, even more so. These things are connected, but not in the way you might think. It’s not about whether there are three or five brigades stationed somewhere. What matters is how prepared and capable the soldiers are.
We have to be clever. We’re not bigger than Russia. If the enemy knows even a little, and they have big ears, if they know anything about our actions, then we won’t succeed.
At the peace summit, we need to be in a strong position.
Of course, it will all end in negotiations. But we have to be in a strong position.
Regarding the strengthening of Pokrovsk:
“I once calculated how long we waited and then used the weapon: 12 months. There is no time to complain. This is just the real situation.”
Regarding domestically made weapons:
“The Palianytsia missile just came out recently, and it’s a very serious thing. There were some issues, but that’s been resolved. This is a vital defense for our state. Since we’re on the subject, I thought it might be too soon to talk about it, but I want the public to appreciate the work of our people who are working 24/7 in the defense industry — there was a first successful test of Ukraine’s first ballistic missile.”
On Peace Summit and Russia’s participation:
All three points [to be discussed at the Summit] will be thoroughly prepared by November.
This is the wish of all countries. It could offer a chance to end the war.
That’s why, at the first summit, we gathered all the countries without Russia. If Russian representatives wish to participate, they will be present. Otherwise, we risk losing the support of many countries.
On F-16 aircraft:
On August 26, Ukraine used F-16s to repel a massive air attack. The jets performed well, helping to shoot down several missiles.
On Polish Assistance:
“Andrzej [Duda] and I have been through a lot. During the elections, Poland was focused on internal issues.= This is life. It will not fundamentally affect the relations between our countries. I will do everything to ensure that no rift occurs between our countries.”
For now, there is no positive decision about MIGs and intercepting missiles over Ukraine, at least those heading towards Poland. Poland seeks support from other NATO countries. The US needs to support this decision.
On Putin’s nuclear threats:
“It’s always the same; they always use intimidation. Part of this intimidation program includes threats of nuclear weapons. So whether to believe it or not, as I’ve said, I believe that Putin values his life too much. He loves his life too much. I think there would be a very swift response from around the world. Either we don’t understand global security at all, or no one should be allowed to even entertain the idea of using nuclear weapons.”
On the definition of victory:
“Ukraine has come up with a plan of compromises to end the war tomorrow. I understand that many people would like to hear this, but I won’t surprise you: compromises with Putin, essentially dialogue with him today, well, how can I put it, are empty. They are meaningless because he doesn’t want to end the war diplomatically. He doesn’t want that. He is willing to negotiate, but only if we give him 30% of our land, and it is not possible. And by the way, returning to the Kursk operation, it has greatly helped us to reduce the number of votes on this issue.”
On Kursk operation:
“we are doing this to prevent the occupation of our land. And it’s not because we started something first. No, they have already occupied part of our territory—28% of our land. That’s why we are taking steps to prevent them from occupying more. These are our steps. We are not adding anything to our state. We are changing it, and we do not need foreign citizens as well.”
We are not like those who brought war to us—with looting, rape, and so on. I am very proud of our soldiers that we have nothing even close to that. This is very important because it will affect the international community’s perception. And you see the attitude towards this operation. Although they did not know, you see this attitude. Because we behave like people.”
On Russian Orthodox Church:
“Francis’s statements were varied. Our entire team met with him at the Vatican. It sometimes feels like déjà vu. As soon as you pause in providing truthful information, the space is filled with information from Russia. They have a lot of influence. The Church works strongly for them abroad. It has stopped working like that for us [in Ukraine], thank God.”
