Zelensky: Only Then Will Putin Be Ready for Dialogue

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has stated that if the defensive forces withdraw from the frontline before the onset of a large-scale war, Russian President Vladimir Putin may return all occupied territories. He made this remark during an interview with CBS News.

According to him, for victory, Ukraine needs weapons from the West, an increase in sanctions against Russia, and the blocking of all economic ties with partners in Moscow. He noted that in this case, Ukrainian military forces would not necessarily have to retreat to the borders of 1991; it would be sufficient to regain the territories that have been occupied by Russia since the start of the large-scale war.

Zelensky believes that if the authoritarian Vladimir Putin loses those lands, he will lose credibility in the countries that "are doubtful," as well as lose power within the Russian Federation. “Only then will Putin be ready for dialogue. At that point, the civilised world's demand should be the liberation of all Ukrainian lands,” stated the President.