Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphatically declared that Ukraine will not use its territories or people as “bargaining chips” in any peace negotiations with Russia.
“We are not ready to use our territories as one of the options for a peace proposal. We do not exchange people or territories for proposals. Our values and our freedom, our democracy – we are not ready to sacrifice these,” Zelenskyy asserted during an interview with Indian media over the weekend.
Zelenskyy also addressed the broader global ramifications of Russia’s war against Ukraine, cautioning that any validation of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions could set a dangerous precedent for violations of territorial integrity in other regions.
He underscored the critical need for the diplomatic isolation of aggressors and called for unified action from world leaders to counter such threats.
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“As long as Ukraine stands, fights, and condemns violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity, while the whole world is with us – the risks of other crises in the world are reduced,” Zelenskyy stated.
The President reiterated Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to supporting nations in their struggle for freedom, emphasizing that this position is deeply rooted in fundamental values and the recognition of every individual’s rights.
Zelenskyy further highlighted that the primary impediment to peace remains Putin’s refusal to bring the conflict to an end.