“It’s not relevant at the moment. I don’t see any request from Russia. I don’t see it in their actions. I see only arrogance and death in their rhetoric,” the Ukrainian leader said at a press conference in Kiev. by various national and international media.
Asked about recent disagreements with the head of the army, Valery Zaluzhny, the Ukrainian president said that “regardless of the position taken” leaders at different levels are “responsible for daily results.”
The president and army chief have a “good working relationship,” Zelensky said, dismissing “personalizations.”
He also described the possibility of Ukraine ceding some of its territory to Russia in exchange for joining NATO as “fantasy.”
Regarding efforts to equip the armed forces, Zelensky also revealed that Ukraine will produce “one million drones.” [aparelhos não-tripulados]” for your army in 2024.
Zelensky was also asked about a visit to Portugal, which had already been confirmed in October, without giving dates, and stated that he was “very grateful to the government and the President of Portugal” for standing with Kiev in the fight against the Russian invasion .
“It is very important for us to have Portugal’s support,” the Ukrainian head of state said, according to CNN Portugal.
The Ukrainian leader also announced his intention to soon meet Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán “to find solutions” to their differences, a few days after the Hungarian leader vetoed the approval of a new aid package from the European Union. to Ukraine and did not participate in the decision to open formal negotiations with Kiev on joining the community bloc.
“We are neighbors and we are trying to find solutions to our problems. But for that we have to organize a meeting,” he stated.
During the press conference, Zelensky responded and spoke several times about the United States, so far Kiev’s most important ally.
Still regarding the possible return of Donald Trump to the White House (North American presidency), less than a year before the 2024 US presidential elections, Zelensky opined that the former ruler has a “different personality” than the current one North American President. , and that for this reason he would promote “a different policy”, adding that “all leaders have influence over their society and over the actions of their government”.
A possible reduction in North American aid could influence the EU’s stance and, as he emphasized, “will certainly have an impact and will not be positive for Ukraine.”
However, he said he believes the broad outlines of Washington’s official policies and support for Kiev will not change.
These statements come a few days after his diplomatic trip aimed at convincing the United States and Europe to continue sending weapons and financing to Ukraine. Despite receiving an opening from Brussels in negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, the country has so far failed to convince the North American Congress to vote on a new $61 billion package ( 56 billion euros) for his country.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into what is considered the worst security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
Ukraine’s Western allies have supplied weapons to Kiev and approved successive sanctions packages against Russian interests to try to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance the war effort.
Source: DN
