Today, the top priority is the maximum expulsion of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine, but the global goal is to restore the territorial integrity of our state within internationally recognized borders, because this is what all Ukrainians want. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his participation in the session of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council Summit.
"The goal of every Ukrainian is to restore our territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders. I understand that everything at once is impossible. First, appropriate steps must be taken to stop the war, and then diplomacy will be in place," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the first stage in this war was to stop Russia’s advancement.
"The second stage is to make Russia withdraw troops from our territory as much as possible. The third stage is to restore territorial integrity as much as possible," he explained.
According to the President, where it is possible to restore territorial integrity through dialogue, Ukraine will do everything possible, but only as an equal partner.
"We understand that it will be difficult to restore territorial integrity on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula. And yet, I believe that we will be able to move to the diplomatic path after showing our strength. Because any war ends with diplomacy," the Head of State is convinced.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the main guarantee of victory is confidence in the Ukrainian people and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"And we are not retreating. That is, today is a new stage already. Somewhere, in some territories, we are blocked by the Russian military and equipment. There, we are waiting for the appropriate equipment to appear on our side, so that we can push and move forward. And in some areas we are moving forward already," he said.
However, the President noted that he has not yet seen Russia's desire to cease fire. "When both sides want a ceasefire, they do it. We’ve seen that for several years with the Russian Federation on the touch line in Donbas. They say that we are negotiating, then they violate (ceasefire agreements - ed.)" said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Head of State pointed out that even when it comes to the regime of silence in the territory of Mariupol for the operation on the evacuation of civilians held jointly with the UN, shelling and bombing still take place.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that a ceasefire can be established only when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"If we have a meeting with President Putin, then there will be a ceasefire for the time of the meeting. Because otherwise there will be no meeting. And then, perhaps, we will agree with him personally. He must personally commit to a ceasefire. And preferably do it publicly," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
At the same time, the President of Ukraine noted that the ceasefire does not mean that Russian troops can stay where they are now and there will be some frozen conflict.
"We will not agree to a frozen conflict," Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.
