Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine is ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another president of Russia.
“Today I held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The meeting of the National Security and Defense Council has just ended. We have a decision. First – it is only the path of strengthening Ukraine and ousting the occupiers from our entire territory that restores peace. We will complete this path,” the President said in his address.
Second, he noted, “Ukraine was and remains a leader in negotiation efforts.”
“It was our state that always offered Russia to reach an agreement on coexistence on equal, honest, decent and fair terms. It is obvious that this is impossible with this Russian president. He does not know what dignity and honesty are.
“Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but already with another president of Russia,” the Head of State stressed.
Zelensky who spoke in response to Russia’s annexation of four areas of Ukraine noted that Russia’s first full-scale attack on Ukraine which began on February 24 “would not have stopped at our borders if we had not stopped it.”
“Other states would have been under attack. The Baltic countries, Poland, Moldova and Georgia, Kazakhstan.”
As noted, “Russia already knows this. It feels our power. It sees that it is here, in Ukraine, that we prove the strength of our values.”
“And that is why it is in a hurry. Organizes this farce with the attempted annexation. Tries to steal something that does not belong to it. Wants to rewrite history and redraw borders with murders, torture, blackmail and lies. Ukraine will not allow that,” the President underscored.
Zelensky also announced that he is requesting fast-track Nato membership.
“We have already proven our compatibility with Alliance standards. We are taking a decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to Nato” We have already proven our compatibility with Alliance standards. We are taking a decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to Nato,” he said.
Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, Moscow was demanding legally binding guarantees that Ukraine would never be admitted to Nato, a US-led military alliance.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
