Zelensky: The main thing is to save our territory
TEXT: ALEXANDER IVANITSKY, January 21, 2022, 10:59
Under Biden, military support has grown, says Zelensky
Zelensky calls on the US to impose sanctions on Russia before Ukraine loses all territory.
Since the beginning of Joe Biden's presidency, US military support for Ukraine has grown, the main task is to preserve the country's territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with The Washington Post.
“I think that the military support from the Biden administration is stronger than it was before. Whether it is sufficient, I would not say, but this is not about a specific American president. We are facing a hybrid war. We are being attacked: military attack, cyber attacks and energy attacks "Zelensky said.
At the same time, he did not answer the question of what kind of weapons were provided, and what else Ukraine would like to receive from the United States.
Zelensky once again announced the need to impose sanctions against Russia before the possible start of military aggression.
"Today our partners say that tomorrow a war could start if there is a powerful escalation from the Russian side, and then powerful sanctions will be applied. But if we are talking about the sanctions policy and the likelihood of escalation, then the question is why you do not impose sanctions now, but wait escalation?... As a country that is building a strong economy and reforming, I support the imposition of sanctions now. I asked one leader: "Why do you support sanctions against Russia in the event of an invasion of Ukraine? Why do you need sanctions after we lose the entire territory of Ukraine?” the Ukrainian president asked.
He noted that it is highly likely that the sanctions imposed after the outbreak of hostilities will not deter further Russian aggression.
“Sanctions are considered a preventive tool because they can be applied and then lifted. If there is a Russian invasion, will you impose strong sanctions after we may have already lost some territory? When you impose sanctions, what will Russia do? ... on you they will look and say: “Listen, we can deal with this, we can continue as it was.” I think this is wrong,” Zelensky said.
He also recalled his proposal to meet with the Presidents of the United States and Russia. "Let's have a dialogue with Russia. I ask the United States to help us find a format. We support dialogue; we are against war," he said.
“If we are going to defend against one of the most powerful armies in the world, then it will be a war. And if it is a war, then it will be a very large-scale war, and everyone will lose. Hundreds of thousands of lives will be lost. Ukraine will suffer; Russia will suffer; neighboring countries will suffer European countries with Ukraine, and those who are further away will be affected by the migration crisis. For us, the most important thing is to preserve our territory," Zelensky added.
