About the Russian language
At the beginning of the interview, Friedman offered Zelensky to speak Russian, but the Ukrainian president refused this request, because on the day of their meeting, “people who speak Russian” attacked Ukraine with 73 missiles and launched more than a hundred drones.
He noted that he did not want to “give a pass” to Putin again declaring that Ukraine and Russia are “one nation speaking one language.” Zelenskyi noted that he had previously tried to address the Russians in Russian, but they “only speak the language of weapons.”
“Zero. They are mute. They don’t hear, they didn’t hear and some are afraid and some are something else. The reasons are different. Since these people are deaf and started the occupation, supposedly to protect the Russian language, I sincerely despise them,” said Zelensky.
At the same time, he denied that the Russian language is banned in Ukraine. There are Russian-speaking people in the country, but disrespect is only “to Russian because of Russians”. According to him, the Russian army killed many Russian-speaking people and “destroyed their homes and their lives.”
About Lukashenko
Zelenskyy said that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is not recognized by many countries, apologized for Belarus’ complicity in the war against Ukraine in the first days of the large-scale invasion. He said he was not to blame for the rockets being fired from his country’s territory.
“The missiles were launched from my territory (Belarus, note) and Putin launched them. Believe me, Volodya, it’s not me… I don’t control it, it’s just rockets, it’s Putin,” Zelensky quoted Lukashenko as saying.
Zelensky said he told Lukashenko he was “the same murderer”. At the same time, the Belarusian leader was convinced that “it is impossible to fight with the Russians”. According to Zelenskyi, Lukashenko also inexplicably offered Ukraine to attack the Belarusian oil refinery in Mozyra.
About Trump’s inauguration
Zelenskyi recalled Trump’s election victory and expressed his desire to participate in the inauguration of the newly elected American president, which will take place on January 20. He has not yet received an invitation, but he will have a separate meeting with the American leader.
“I would love to (come to the inauguration), but I can’t come unless President Trump invites me. It’s not nice. I know leaders are not invited individually, but I know leaders who can come alone. I am such a person that I will not come without an invitation,” said Zelenskyj. However, he added that Trump had invited him to the inauguration even before the election in case he won.
According to Zelensky, Trump could become the first world leader to fly to Ukraine by plane. “The war will end and President Trump could be the first leader to arrive. I think it would be symbolic,” he said.
About negotiations with Russia and guarantees from Trump
Friedman said he hoped Zelensky, Trump and Putin would sit down on January 25 to discuss peace and strong security guarantees. And then they signed the contract. Zelensky said that the first negotiations will be with Trump and only then with Putin.
“I think on January 25 or another day we will sit down with Trump first. We will agree on how we can stop the war and Putin. Secondly, it is very important for us that Europe also has a voice,” emphasized Zelenskyj. He noted that if Trump offers strong security guarantees for Ukraine, then talks with the Russians may follow.
About the Putins
Zelensky said that he considers the Russian leader “a mammoth with a bare ass” who does not love his people because he sends the people of Russia to die in another country. “He does not love his people. You cannot send your people to die in a foreign country. Knowing that they will die,” said Zelenskyj.
About Russia apologizing for the war
Zelenskyy said he “doesn’t know” whether Russia has a common future with Ukraine, because “after every terrible war, one generation, one country admits that it was the aggressor and understands that it cannot be forgiven.” He cited Germany as an example, fully admitting its guilt for the Second World War, convicting the criminals and paying reparations.
“And when all this is done and acknowledged, then people will find a relationship with each other anyway. If Russia apologizes, it will come. It will come. Because they are guilty. And as I said, there are different people to blame. Those who took part in it, and those who remained silent,” said Zelensky.
About the ceasefire, security guarantees and NATO
Ukraine will agree to a cease-fire under the condition of accepting serious security guarantees, arms deliveries and the continuation of anti-Russian sanctions, Zelensky said.
“NATO means strong security guarantees for all people, for us it is part of security guarantees. The second part is the weapons package. We will not use them. If the ceasefire works, no one will use weapons. However, they must stay,” emphasized Zelenskyj.
He noted that if Trump approaches a cease-fire without serious security guarantees for Ukraine, it will give Putin an opportunity to “end the occupation of Ukraine.” Zelensky also said that “Putin is afraid of Trump.”
The president also proposed that in the event of Ukraine’s invitation to NATO, the alliance’s guarantees may temporarily apply only to territories controlled by Ukraine. “However, we also need weapons and sanctions against Russia so that the aggression does not repeat itself.”
About frozen Russian assets
Zelensky said that he proposed to the new Trump administration to buy American weapons at the expense of Russian assets. He added that it could be “one of the security guarantees”.
“Take the 300 billion in frozen Russian assets. We’ll take them. We will take the money we need for our domestic production and buy all the weapons in the US. We don’t need donations from the US,” Zelenskyy said, but did not say what Trump’s reaction was to the proposal.
About the elections and the second term
According to Zelensky, everyone in Ukraine understands that it is impossible to hold elections until the war is over or until it is necessary to change the legislation. “I believe that the elections will be held immediately after the end of martial law, it is so according to the law. Or the MPs have to get together and change the legislation, which will be very difficult because society is against it,” he added.
He also pointed out that more than eight million people have left the country, millions are in the occupied territories and almost a million are serving in the army.
When asked if he would run for a second term, Zelenskyy replied that it would depend on how the war ends, what the people want, as well as his family. According to his own words, Zelenskyi is not thinking about it now.
Source: spravy.pravda.sk
