Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine will not give up eastern ground to reach an agreement with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky assured that his country will not cede to Russia territories in the east of the country to end the war, warning a heavy battle in the region against troops sent by Vladimir Putin and separatist groups.

From Kiev, in an interview with CNN, the leader of Ukraine assured that his army is ready to fight Russian troops in the Donbas region. He considered that such a battle could influence the course of the entire war.

Regarding a possible transfer of territories, the president explained that he cannot trust Moscow, since there would be no guarantee that Russia will not attempt to take Kiev again after occupying the east of the country. “That's why it's very important that we don't allow it, that we stand firm, because this battle... can influence the course of the whole war,” he added.

In that regard, he reiterated the importance of having the invading troops withdrawn as much as possible. “We understand that the fact that we have fought them and left, and that they are fleeing Kiev - from the north, from Chernihiv and from that direction - does not mean that if they are able to capture Donbas, they will not come any closer to Kiev.”

Zelesnky agreed with US President Joe Biden, who accused Russian forces of genocide. “Look what happened in Bucha. It is clear that it is not even a war, it is a genocide. They just killed people. Not soldiers, people. They just shot people in the streets. People were biking, taking the bus or just walking down the street. There were dead bodies in the streets,” he lamented.

Also, the president was sensitive and painful when he spoke of the very high impact and devastation that the war has caused in his country. And so he also criticized the international community, considering that it has not honored its promise of “never again” after the Nazi Holocaust. “We don't believe the words. After the escalation of Russia, we don't believe our neighbors. We don't believe all this. The only belief there is is belief in ourselves, in our people, belief in our Armed Forces, and the belief that countries will support us not only with their words but with their actions,” he said. “And that's all. Never again. Really, everyone talks about this, and yet, as you can see, not everyone has the guts.”

The president again ordered weapons for his country, assuring that his troops are trained to use all kinds of arsenals. “We are prepared to use any type of equipment, but it needs to be delivered very quickly. And we have the ability to learn how to use new equipment. But it has to come quickly,” he exclaimed.

In previously released excerpts from the interview, Zelensky said that “everyone” should be “concerned” about the risk that Vladimir Putin could use tactical nuclear weapons out of desperation in the face of military setbacks in Ukraine, as commented by the CIA director.

US foreign intelligence chief William Burns said Thursday that “the threat posed by the potential use of tactical” or “low-powered” nuclear weapons by President Putin should not be taken lightly if he is desperate.

When asked by CNN if he shared this concern, Zelensky replied: “Not only me, I think everyone, every country should be concerned.” He explained that he is concerned about “nuclear” or “chemical” weapons.

“They can do it”, “for them people's lives are worthless”, he insisted in this interview that will be broadcast on Sunday but of which CNN has released a fragment. “Let's not worry, let's be prepared,” added the Ukrainian president. “But it is not a question for Ukraine”, but concerns “everyone”.

(With information from AFP)

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