Zelensky Washington Put up interview transcript: ‘Ukraine should win’

Washington Put up Government Editor Sally Buzbee, Overseas Editor Douglas Jehl, Russia, Ukraine and East Europe editor David M. Herszenhorn, Ukraine bureau chief Isabelle Khurshudyan and Ukraine chief correspondent Siobhán O’Grady interviewed Zelensky for an hour on Might 1 on the presidential workplace constructing in Kyiv. They mentioned the anticipated counteroffensive, leaked U.S. intelligence paperwork that exposed delicate details about Ukraine, and whether or not he worries about how the U.S. presidential election will influence help for his nation.

The next is a full transcript of the interview, translated and flippantly edited for readability. Zelensky spoke in Ukrainian besides the place famous.

Q: Ukraine has been planning a counteroffensive for a lot of months. Are you able to inform us about any specifics? What do you want to succeed?

A: Thanks very a lot to your query. To start with, we don’t plan a counteroffensive for months. It is a precedence difficulty for us, so we needed to be ready prematurely with our plans. And that is the reality. Our companions perceive this as effectively. There are points in numerous areas. The primary difficulty is, in fact, ammunition. I say this as a precedence — not as a result of I need to complain, however as a result of it’s a useful resource with out which a counteroffensive is inconceivable. However I need to clearly say that with out this useful resource, the protection of the state is inconceivable. It’s not simply a problem close to the counteroffensive. The difficulty is to have a counteroffensive and to not lose the territories that now we have. Even if we’re stronger — I believe we’re extra motivated than Russia. However nonetheless, now we have to arrange the whole lot and be stocked with weapons and motivated individuals so as to not lose our personal individuals. Due to this fact, a very powerful factor we want are sources for the plans which have already been made. To be trustworthy, that is additionally influenced by the climate. That is an absolute truth as a result of, let’s simply say, the bottom needs to be appropriate for our weapons. We don’t have such a variety of armored autos. Sure, it’s tough for our enemy as effectively, these climate circumstances. However they are going to be on the protection on this state of affairs. I imagine that they’ve failed of their offensive. They’ve failed, in all probability partially. They’re attempting to — we see that on occasion they’re making makes an attempt to assault, however, nonetheless, they’re slowed down within the mud of their choices. Within the mud of the dearth of motivation of their navy personnel. And naturally, now you see what ways they’ve chosen. They destroy locations utterly. So, they don’t have a navy tactic. They realized that they’ll’t enlist motivated individuals, and so they began the … highly effective tactic of utilizing Wagner [fighters] as a result of their very own navy personnel are incapable. They usually shoot [their own] Wagner [troops] in the event that they retreat. In order that’s how they select to function. As for any affordable operations, we don’t see their facet partaking in them on the battlefield, in order that they adopted different ways. They might not go round us one after the other, nor may they encircle us, nor may they assault. All over the place they achieved solely partial successes, or successes for a restricted time, after which they have been pushed again once more by our troops. And so, they got here to the ways that they used at the start of the warfare in some small villages. Now they don’t care whether or not it’s a small village or a giant one. [That tactic] is the whole destruction of the whole lot, of all infrastructure, buildings, civilians, and so forth. What we see in Bakhmut, for those who take a look at it from the sky, if in case you have some type of satellite tv for pc capabilities to have a look at these photographs, you will note that completely the whole lot is destroyed. … As quickly because the supply of weapons that have been agreed upon with our companions is accomplished, we might be prepared for a counteroffensive, in fact taking into consideration the modifications in climate. And the objective stays the identical — the de-occupation of our territory.

Q: Do you will have sufficient troops to launch the counteroffensive? After which to exchange any potential casualties?

A: Thanks very a lot. Our primary tactic from the very starting of the warfare and even earlier than the warfare — it was not a tactic then, however my angle towards individuals — is that we must be accountable for all of our territory however we must also save as many individuals as potential. In the course of the warfare, our ways haven’t modified. We perceive that warfare takes individuals from us. Sadly, it takes the courageous and, sadly, it takes the perfect. However nonetheless, we perceive that regardless of the counteroffensive — and we are going to do it — we should be sure that we decrease losses as a lot as potential. And so, after we say what we want, we want the whole lot that allows us to guard individuals — artillery techniques and long-range artillery. By the best way, we don’t perceive what the issue is right here with long-range techniques, long-distance missiles. The difficulty with our companions is that, I believe they’re afraid that we’d use them on the territory of Russia. However I’d all the time inform our companions, “Hear, our job is to de-occupy our territory. We don’t have any disposable shells, and we don’t have any targets like that. Now we have a precedence goal for which we’re spending the ammunition bundle now we have. And we spend it on the de-occupation of purely Ukrainian territories.” However we would want to do this with long-range missiles and techniques. So now I don’t fairly perceive, I’ll let you know frankly, why we will’t get long-range artillery. As a result of the target of long-range artillery is unquestionably to not apply it to Russian territory. And I imagine that we are going to deal with this deficit. We’re engaged on this in many alternative areas. And I’ll let you know frankly, we’re [working] on completely different continents to get it. And naturally, in any case, by way of a full-scale warfare — and this implies [in terms of] a full-scale de-occupation of our territories, completely all of them — we want aviation. We’re at present shedding within the sky. We all the time say that the power of our individuals outweighs the power of the Russian Federation. I believe we’re additionally stronger than Russia by way of motivation. On the battlefield, on the bottom, now we have proven what we will do. However we’re completely affordable individuals. If they’ve absolute superiority within the sky, then so be it. To unravel such an issue, it’s a must to be trustworthy about it. And our companions as effectively, we want to get their help to offer us with Western-standard fighter jets, actually the F-16. There are different fighter jets, [Eurofighters] and so forth. There are completely different names. We work with all of them to acquire one thing on this space.

Q: By way of a counteroffensive, do you will have any particular expectations of what you want to accomplish? And what does your navy have to indicate to maintain the help that you’ve got now and future help?

A: Look, we’re an impartial state. And though now we have companions, we’re those making the choices, it doesn’t matter what. [About] the place we’re going, in what path we’re shifting … and the course of our actions. However, in fact, on this sequence, we rely on our companions once more for help. We don’t need to lose their help. We can’t head towards a sure objective when we’re not certain that now we have sufficient weapons, sufficient coaching for officers … that now we have sufficient to perform one or one other goal. So, in fact, we take into account what we will get from our companions and what we will depend on. And that’s why it’s like that. … Look, no one expects as a lot [from this counteroffensive] as we do. I’ll let you know frankly, I’m unsure that completely all of our companions imagine that we’re capable of break the Russian Federation. It’s true that our companions’ confidence in us has grown. The actual fact that there’s a massive distinction between how we began the warfare, and all of my dialogues with companions, and the way I put most strain on them to assist; the very fact that there’s a large distinction between what occurred earlier than the full-scale warfare by way of our help and the alerts I gave to our companions and what’s occurring now — their confidence in us has grown. It has multiplied by many occasions over, so it has not grown by percentages however multiplied many occasions. I’m grateful for this, in fact, to many — to our navy, to our individuals who stood up and didn’t run away, and to our companions. That, in spite of everything, that is in all probability the place the power of democracy lies, that even when individuals do not likely imagine in you, there may be nonetheless a dialogue. And that’s necessary, that our companions are usually not closed off. This was additionally crucial since you simply can’t, you realize, simply imagine. Nonetheless, we’re speaking about more-pragmatic issues right here. This isn’t about having religion in God. And that’s why it’s a must to belief. And now we have been constructing all this belief by applicable highly effective steps in Ukraine and thru diplomacy, in fact. And that’s why — I do know that there’s skepticism amongst some companions that it might be scary if Ukraine liberates completely all of its territories. However I, for instance, can reside with this skepticism. And I imagine that the extra victories now we have on the battlefield, frankly, the extra individuals will imagine in us, which suggests we are going to get extra assist. These are my conclusions.

Q: And also you now preserve your place to not negotiate with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin?

A: Look, now we have handled completely different Putins. It’s a totally completely different set of traits in several intervals. Putin is just not alone, Putin has an entourage. They made their respective choices. In 2019, their collective organism — the Kremlin, headed by Putin — stated that ‘sure, we are going to in all probability discover a diplomatic resolution.’ I very a lot wished this. In 2020 or 2021, this entire collective thoughts made up one thing else of their heads, however didn’t enter right into a dialogue with us and didn’t do the whole lot we had agreed with them in 2019. We can’t say that Putin alone began a full-scale warfare in 2022. And it might be, to be trustworthy, simply insulting to all these individuals who have died. They’ve a big collective accountability for this. And that’s why I’m simply not prepared to speak to him. I’m not prepared to speak to this collective. Not as a result of somebody is cussed, however as a result of they’ve chosen the trail of destruction of Ukraine — a full-scale path. That’s why we will’t absolve anybody of accountability. There’s a collective right here, and it’s answerable for the warfare of aggression — a full-scale, well-thought-out warfare with a want to destroy all life. And earlier than that, they promised one thing — and never solely to Ukraine however to all leaders — that they’d not invade. That’s, we’re coping with individuals with whom, on the one hand, it’s inconceivable to make agreements as a result of they won’t execute them. There is no such thing as a level. And however, these similar individuals are murderers and terrorists, and so you can not simply give in to their calls for. That is what occurred at the start of the warfare after they gave us ultimatums. That’s all. I believe it is mindless for Ukraine to barter with this collective with the title “Putin.”

Q: You stated Ukraine can’t go additional with a counterattack earlier than it will get extra weapons. What particularly do you want? Do you want extra missiles or launchers?

A: We don’t have sufficient. We don’t have sufficient armored autos that may save our individuals who might be pushing the entrance line ahead. And it’s very tough for us to go towards hundreds of Russian armored autos. It’s very tough to go up towards that with a minimal quantity, so we want the suitable quantity [of vehicles] to do this. And our companions have all of them and have had them for a very long time. And these months, which you will have talked about, of operational preparation — all these months our companions have identified all this. The second level, as I stated, is that if you take counteroffensive actions, you will have — I’ll provide the instance of Kherson. Don’t neglect, you will have de-occupied territories that also must be defended by somebody. Life has returned [to these territories] and so have individuals, however it is usually inside attain of sure weapons that kill individuals. That’s why we want safety, further air protection techniques. And right here we will say that we had a breakthrough with the Patriots resolution. However we additionally have to do not forget that the title alone doesn’t shield individuals. There’s a corresponding variety of such techniques. We’re grateful {that a} begin has been made, however now we have to guard the sky. And once more, our companions have the variety of air protection techniques that we have to shield ourselves on a nationwide degree. And it’s the identical with the second a part of this difficulty on the safety of territories — [protection of] faculties, universities, infrastructure. For this we want long-range techniques, long-distance missiles. Once more, that is the instance of Kherson, when the enemy crossed to the opposite facet of the Dnieper River and they’re at a distance the place we will’t encroach on the goal. … They will take troops from there and transfer them to the east or to the south. And it reinforces them. Why? As a result of they know that we can’t attain them. We will’t attain them, and we undergo every single day as a result of they do have the flexibility to focus on our individuals. That’s one other difficulty. And irrespective of how many individuals say that this isn’t a counteroffensive however a defensive mission, no, these missions all the time go hand-in-hand. That’s all. As a result of somebody is defending, somebody is attacking. If there isn’t a one to defend, you’ll not have the sources to assault, you’ll throw sources at protection. That’s the way it all works. That’s precisely the way it works. Subsequent, aviation, as I stated. However these are massive issues, and by way of aviation by NATO requirements, like F-16s, nobody is ready for these — that is true, we are going to begin our actions earlier than this plane [is delivered]. However it might have made it a lot simpler for us. It’s a must to perceive that we are going to positively be combating Russian plane in a counteroffensive. However in any case, even with a deficit like this, we are going to assault accordingly. Talking of deficits … our companions’ 155-caliber artillery techniques are wonderful. I gained’t say the precise quantity we’re speaking about, however it’s a must to perceive that they break down and must be repaired. Now we have realized all this. Now we have constructed an awesome infrastructure for these renovations, however after they break down … on this interval, we have to substitute them with one thing. So, that is additionally a deficit.

Q: So, it feels like a counteroffensive is many months away.

Q: You want extra weapons, however are you able to get them inside weeks, or a month?

A: We work not solely with the US of America. The USA of America is actually a pacesetter within the supply of assist. We’re very grateful for that. However we can’t depend on the US alone and we can’t depend on the months that you simply talked about. As a result of by defending this or that space, your sources reduce. Each human and ammunition sources. That’s why nobody will wait very lengthy. We are going to begin the counteroffensive as quickly as now we have the minimal with which we will launch ahead. That’s the reason we’re working with companions — with Britain, France, Germany, Italy. We’re working with our Slovak companions, with Poland. We work with completely different international locations. We work with Canada. We’re working, now we have began working with different continents. And right here I’d not wish to say with which different governments outdoors the European continent, as a result of not all of them are going to be pleased if this info is made public. We’re working. We’re doing the whole lot we will to strengthen our military. And right here, you realize, there may be such a steadiness. On the one hand, the US … is our greatest chief in supplying, in serving to. I can’t complain about their assist. And however, the deficit that now we have right this moment — I’m certain that the US may cowl it. However I additionally can’t rely solely on the US. That’s all. For this now we have different highly effective companions, like Sweden. Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands are actually serving to us quite a bit. They usually assist us quite a bit with the deficit I advised you about. And let’s not neglect that now we have a menace from the ocean. And so, there are numerous techniques that shield us from that path as effectively. And right here I’m grateful to them as effectively. And Finland. So mainly, the world is combating for Ukraine right this moment as effectively.

Q: You’ve stated that nobody has higher expectations for this counteroffensive than you. What particularly must occur so that you can take into account it successful?

A: Any de-occupied territories, I imagine, is successful. I remind you as soon as once more whom we’re combating. We perceive that it’s numerous individuals and so forth. I can’t let you know which cities or cities, which borders are a big success for us and that are common — solely as a result of I don’t need to put together Russia for a way, wherein instructions and the place and after we might be [attacking]. However we positively need to do it. I can let you know for certain that after the counteroffensive operation, I can say fairly frankly whether or not we have been relying on such a course of or whether or not we have been relying on one thing higher — whether or not we failed at one thing. You may all the time say this as a result of there isn’t a criticism in it. It’s self-criticism. We’re prepared [to say if] we fell quick. And it is usually necessary to acknowledge this. Not solely inside the state but additionally for our companions. And to indicate it, as a result of all our conversations are recorded. I imply the conferences the place we word that we requested for one, two, three, 4, 5 issues, and we obtained one, two, three. We’re grateful. However you’ll be able to see that if we had acquired 4, 5, we may in all probability have achieved extra, or vice versa. We simply thank them very a lot and say that this a part of your assist gave us a higher end result than we had anticipated.

Q: On a distinct subject, are you able to inform us about your response to the leaked Pentagon paperwork on the Discord server? Did Washington offer you a heads-up or did you discover out your self by information studies the extent of the leaks?

A: If we’re speaking about me personally, and I want to discuss myself personally, I realized the whole lot from the newspapers, from the web. I learn it. I learn that some info was leaked, after which, I believe … I don’t bear in mind what the primary newspaper was, was it The Washington Put up? … I believe so, after which I realized the whole lot from The Washington Put up and different platforms that exist inside our nation. … I didn’t obtain info from the White Home or the Pentagon beforehand. We didn’t have that info. I personally didn’t. It’s positively a nasty state of affairs. Properly, I’m explaining to you my angle towards it. I believe it doesn’t assist. I just lately spoke to our Nordic pals, by the best way, and so they requested me how I felt about it, and I stated there may be positively no benefit for Ukraine. This won’t encourage our troopers. [Is there an advantage] for our inhabitants? Properly, perhaps some are inquisitive about this, and a few could be very . In some locations it’s a hype, someplace it’s a scandal. For us — look, something that informs our enemy prematurely in a technique or one other is unquestionably a minus for us. I don’t see any benefits right here. After which there’s this [TV show] that now we have now, and I take into account it a [TV show]. … Individuals ask me, who advantages from this? My reply could be very easy: I don’t have time to determine who advantages from this. I’m who, apart from Ukraine, doesn’t profit from it. And I imagine that it’s unprofitable for us to begin with. It’s unprofitable for us. I additionally imagine that it isn’t useful to the popularity of the White Home, and I imagine it isn’t useful to the popularity of the US. That is my opinion. I don’t know all the inner processes. I’m telling you frankly. And I don’t know as a result of, frankly, we’re at warfare. And, sadly, even supposing that is our largest accomplice, I don’t know all of the political developments which can be occurring inside the US. After all, these are issues that may result in changes. It’s a must to perceive this. Not as a result of the leak is true or false, however just because it occurred. Everyone seems to be evolving in any case. Russia is adapting, Ukraine is adapting, companions are altering the best way they’re passing on provides, taking applicable steps to defend or assault. … It’s summer season outdoors. You need to exit, and you aren’t getting a warning. You exit, and it’s raining. In any case, it’s a shock. Some individuals like rain, and a few individuals don’t. I’m simply speaking about myself. I didn’t like this rain very a lot.

Q: Do the leaks and the truth that the US was listening in in your communications tarnish your belief in Washington?

A: I’m unsure they’re listening. I imply, if we may provide you with some extra proof. Properly, that’s one dialog and one other story. That’s what I advised you. We’re combating, we’re at warfare. Hear, I — I can’t danger our state. I can’t. Even when I wished to say one thing to somebody, one thing very heated and really private, I’d in all probability suppose, though I’m a pointy individual, fairly sharp. And the place I can put strain, the place I can converse frankly, I do it. However there are excessive dangers. If it have been my warfare towards Putin, and there have been two of us on the battlefield, I’d inform everybody what I consider them. However right here the story is somewhat completely different. We’re all accountable. And that’s it. That’s why I don’t know whose manipulation that is or whether or not it’s an accident, and stuff like that. And why ought to I? Regardless of such info leaks, I’ve to arrange the state for de-occupation, not for different steps. And that is my job. Do you bear in mind how our dialog with [President Donald] Trump obtained out? They printed it. Properly, to be trustworthy, I didn’t give my permission for that both.

Q: The Washington Put up has obtained paperwork that now we have not revealed particulars about but. We want to ask you about some info there and in addition to provide the alternative to reply to what’s in there. Certainly one of them says that on January 31, you recommended occupying components of Russia alongside the border for future leverage within the negotiations. Is that true?

Q: Do you suppose Ukraine has a proper to occupy components of Russia?

A: Let’s not get into fantasies. Ukraine has each proper to guard itself. And we’re doing it. Ukraine didn’t occupy anybody, however vice versa. The warfare is concerning the occupation of Ukraine. Ukraine should win. What steps to take with a view to win? That’s one other query. And don’t be offended right here, I’m not able to share. I’ll let you know actually. Properly, when so many individuals have died and there have been mass graves and our individuals have been tortured, I’m certain that now we have to make use of any tips, any completely completely different strategies of response. As a result of we’re not rapists. So [there must be] completely different responses than the Russian Federation.

Q: The paperwork additionally say that you simply spoke with Valery Zaluzhny, head of the Ukrainian armed forces, on Feb. 28 about placing troops in Russia’s Rostov area. We all know that there have been a number of strikes on Russian territory. Is that one thing you personally ordered?

A: To start with, I can repeat it once more. We’re combating a warfare for our territory, combating on our territory and de-occupying our territory. That’s it. All my conversations with Zaluzhny, [Oleksandr] Syrsky, [Oleksandr] Tarnavsky — I’ve lots of generals with whom I work, with whom I discuss, and I discuss on to them, I do know all of their wants. And these are my private conversations, and nobody in our nation has given orders for offensives or strikes on Russian territory.

A: [In English] Will we talk about these paperwork?

Q: A pair extra questions.

A: [In English] Only a couple extra paperwork.

Q: The paperwork point out that HUR, your intelligence directorate, has back-channel contact with Yevgeniy Prigozhin that you simply have been conscious of, together with assembly with Yevgeniy Prigozhin and HUR officers. Is that true?

A: It is a matter of [military] intelligence. Would you like me to be convicted of state treason? And so, it’s very attention-grabbing, if somebody is saying that you’ve got paperwork, or if somebody from our authorities is talking concerning the actions of our intelligence, I’d additionally wish to ask you a query: With which sources from Ukraine do you will have contact? Who’s speaking concerning the actions of our intelligence? As a result of that is essentially the most extreme felony in our nation. Which Ukrainians are you speaking to?

Q: I talked to officers in authorities, however these paperwork are usually not from Ukraine, they’re from …

A: It doesn’t matter the place the paperwork are from. The query is with which Ukrainian official did you discuss? As a result of if they are saying one thing about our intelligence, that’s treason.If they are saying one thing a couple of particular offensive plan of 1 normal or one other, that is additionally treason. That’s why I requested you, which Ukrainians are you speaking to?

Q: About these particular paperwork? You’re the first individual I’m speaking to about them.

Q: And I can learn you what info precisely there may be about Prigozhin and the GUR. On February 13, Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s Foremost Directorate of Intelligence, knowledgeable you a couple of Russian plan to destabilize Moldova with two former Wagner associates. Budanov knowledgeable you that he seen the Russian scheme as a strategy to incriminate Prigozhin as a result of “now we have dealings” with him. You instructed Budanov to tell Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and Budanov advised you that the GUR had knowledgeable Prigozhin that he can be labeled a traitor who has been working with Ukraine. The doc additionally says that Budanov anticipated the Russians to make use of particulars of Prigozhin’s secret talks with the GUR and conferences with GUR officers in Africa …

A: Hear, to be trustworthy, effectively, you simply learn one thing, you say one thing. I simply don’t perceive the place you get it, whom you discuss to and so forth. You discuss how I met with Budanov. This implies that you simply — how do you set it? It appears to be like like you will have individuals who have some data or you will have some proof or you will have one thing, as a result of that’s what it appears to be like like. You’re once more doing, I apologize, what you have been doing earlier than. You’re releasing some form of info that doesn’t assist our state to assault and doesn’t assist us to defend our state. So, I don’t fairly perceive what you might be speaking about. I don’t fairly perceive your objective. Is your objective to assist Russia? I imply, which means now we have completely different objectives. If I’m not sitting on the similar desk with them, I don’t fairly perceive what we’re speaking about. Every of those inquiries merely demotivates Ukraine, demotivates sure companions to assist Ukraine. Properly, a technique or one other, I simply don’t perceive your objective.

Q: Our objective is to not assist Russia.

A: Properly, it appears to be like completely different.

Q: Nobody gave us this info personally. These have been within the leaked paperwork, which do point out, as I stated earlier, that the US is listening in on you.

A: And if in case you have categorized paperwork, it means somebody gave them to you. You probably have entry to paperwork, somebody gave them to you. Immediately, on the planet of contemporary know-how, when you will have entry, it’s not essentially somebody gave it to you. You’ve gotten entry. You at the moment are quoting some paperwork as originals, with out understanding the accountability for this, you might be simply speaking about some info. For me, that is incomprehensible info, however on this, in our dialogue, I need to perceive why you might be doing this. I advised you at the start of our dialog that I imagine that the TV present that was launched, launched within the info area, helps — I don’t know who, but it surely helps Russia, it positively doesn’t assist Ukraine. You’re engaged in persevering with this story. And so, I ask you if it’s your alternative and for those who suppose that the Russian Federation must be helped in a wide range of spheres — that they have been anticipating a Ukrainian counteroffensive in whichever path, in order that they know after we are coming, in order that they know our highly effective forces and what we’re planning, what our intelligence is doing? Properly, if that’s the case, then.

Q: I’d say that these paperwork have been leaked, not by us, and so they have been on the web in a chatroom for weeks.

A: They weren’t on the web, they have been part of one thing. We, the traditional society, couldn’t entry all of this. We couldn’t. After which, I believe, info started to come back out that we might partially publish the whole lot else. I believe it’s yours — or your editorial board, or whoever. I don’t need to offend anybody, I don’t know. That’s why you might be releasing this info one after the other right this moment. You publish details about a counteroffensive in Ukraine, about this or that. I advised you that I imagine that that is, methods to put it? — somebody heard one thing someplace, somebody revealed one thing someplace, however the info is compiled, and it’s completely different, and it positively doesn’t work in Ukraine’s favor. That’s all. And now you need to take the bull by the horns. It’s essential to substantiate or not substantiate this info, after which there might be a sure weight to your info, as a result of the president of Ukraine reacts to it. Do you perceive? And that is what you do. You’re proper now taking part in with, I believe, issues that aren’t good for our individuals. This isn’t the primary time I’ve advised you this. I believe it’s mistaken, however nonetheless, you say, “Just a bit bit extra, it’s not over but.” Properly, sure, it’s. There are nonetheless a couple of individuals left in Ukraine. I’m not involved in seeing this variety of individuals lower. That’s why we’re combating. [In English] I’m so sorry, I used to be not so fast, I used to be too lengthy about these paperwork. I don’t learn about this …

Q: We got here to speak to you about this. It’s clearly delicate for you and your nation.

A: [In English] It’s not delicate. If I reply you that it’s delicate, it implies that these are actual paperwork. Please, cease taking part in video games with me. I’m the president of a warfare nation, a rustic in warfare. I stated about my response to those paperwork, I stated that it’s not good for our individuals. , I’m not taking part in “Counter-Strike.” We’re making ready a counteroffensive. , these are various things — that’s why I stated the entire particulars from me you’ll hear. And naturally, we’re grateful to your work, your assist if you help Ukraine on this warfare. You probably did a giant job. And now I’m saying about these paperwork … I don’t acknowledge it as paperwork. I didn’t see that. That’s the very first thing. I don’t know the way you’ve obtained it and my query was to you: “Why are you proceed doing that?” Okay. You’re free. I imply, you’ll do what you need, however I don’t need to talk about it with particulars. As a result of I don’t learn about what I’m talking. It’s one thing with some info. And I stated that I didn’t have any contact with the White Home about these paperwork. Or not paperwork. About these papers. Or not papers. About this platform. Or a faux platform. … I didn’t have earlier than, now, and, I don’t know, perhaps sooner or later. I simply say the identical message very publicly and really open. I stated it to you, with some journalist and to lots of leaders. After they requested me about this, I stated it’s not good for us. What can I say? It’s not good. I don’t know if it was faux or what a p.c — I don’t know what it’s. And I don’t know who wants it and what’s the sport. I don’t know what for. That’s it. For me, it’s not severe. It feels like someone stated, someone heard one thing …

Q: Is it honest for the US to impose restrictions on strikes inside Russian territory when Russia strikes civilian infrastructure in Ukraine?

A: We don’t have such capabilities. We don’t have the capabilities to strike within the Russian Federation. We don’t have long-range weapons to today.

Q: However there are common drone strikes inside Russia.

A: [In English] What Russia? On Crimea? Crimea is a territory of Ukraine. We use sea drones as you realize. And we stated about it brazenly. Or with a ship, Moskva.

Q: Are you anxious that the politics within the Western international locations that help you may change in a method that might damage their help for Ukraine? There may be rising Republican skepticism within the U.S. Congress about assist for Ukraine. There’s a probability that Donald Trump may very well be reelected president subsequent yr. Are you able to discuss to us about that? How do you see that? Are you anxious about that? For help to your nation?

A: It’s tough for me to say what the coverage of one other president might be if there might be one other president. To start with, it’s not clear to me whether or not the warfare will proceed in a yr when there might be elections in the US of America. And I want to imagine that the warfare might be over and we could have gained by then. Secondly, and I say it once more, I don’t know. We will solely watch. And it’s the alternative of the American individuals who the following president might be. I want to imagine that on the whole, as a result of the warfare won’t simply be over, however there’ll nonetheless be one thing to be accomplished. Then now we have to do the whole lot to stop Russia from returning in a couple of years with some extra steps of aggression. That’s the reason the US is our accomplice not solely on this warfare however for a few years to come back. And that’s why I’m involved in what the US will do relating to Ukraine. That is actually crucial for us. And naturally, we heard some messages from former president Trump that he would finish the warfare in a short time. Then I’ve a query. Why didn’t he finish it? I’d have given him a standing ovation if he had ended it then. But it surely didn’t work out that method, after which a full-scale warfare began. However the warfare has been occurring since 2014. All those that have been presidents since 2014, all this time they’d an opportunity to finish the warfare. However I’m not saying that they’d the capability, as a result of it’s tough, it’s simply tough to finish it, as a result of it’s Russia. And that’s all. As a result of with all due respect, there should be a basis to fulfill any problem. Then there may be the story that right this moment there are different challenges and plenty of Republicans and Democrats come to us who help us very, very strongly. And there are skeptics — what can I say, we perceive. Look, I believe that everybody … not everybody totally understands the results of what’s occurring. Not everybody understands who President Putin is. And a few individuals, I believe, simply don’t care what occurs to Ukraine. Sadly, I’ve to say, they don’t care. They’re solely involved in what’s going to occur to them and their enterprise or one thing else as a result of that is a person alternative for everybody.

Q: Mr. President, Ukraine has not revealed its navy casualties depend over the course of the warfare. What do you achieve from hiding this quantity? Ought to the world not know the price of this warfare to Ukraine by realizing the numbers?

A: That is only a normal resolution. A normal resolution from our navy. All this might be [made public] after we finish the warfare. We all know the losses. We worth each individual, and this is likely one of the issues that, in fact, might be totally accessible to the entire world. I believe, to be trustworthy, it’s to begin with necessary for the relations and pals of these individuals who misplaced their family members, after which, I believe, for everybody else. However, nonetheless, that is the choice [that has been made]. The truth that the quantity is many occasions lower than that of Russians is known by everybody on the planet. And if in case you have the related paperwork, perhaps you’ll be able to inform us how many individuals have died, what number of have been wounded and what their names are?

Q: Do you not suppose it might assist the reason for scaling up the ammunition you’re saying you want if individuals understood the extent to which Ukrainians are dying on the battlefield?

A: Hear, our intelligence companies are working — Ukrainian, with the US, with Britain, with different companions. Everyone seems to be working, everybody understands one another’s respective steps. And everybody understands roughly how many individuals now we have misplaced. That’s why everybody is aware of the whole lot that’s accessible, what is required to get the required weapons. Everybody is aware of it.

Q: The struggle is clearly persevering with in Bakhmut. Has it been definitely worth the variety of troopers who died and obtained wounded there to proceed combating?

A: It’s an unequivocal resolution of your entire navy and the political management. Everyone understands that Bakhmut is the one factor that the Russian president and Prigozhin can promote to their dismantled military and to their society. They want Bakhmut solely to say: “Right here, the operation is ours. You see, we’re doing the whole lot proper. Let’s proceed. You see that it is a nice victory.” As a result of 99 p.c of the Russian Federation doesn’t even perceive what Bakhmut is, has by no means been there and has by no means seen it. And since they imagine their TV, not their eyes. And that’s it. Due to this fact, this may open up the likelihood for Russia to go additional, and it’ll go additional and accumulate forces — go additional to Donbas, then towards Dnipro and so forth. That’s all. And that’s why right this moment Bakhmut is a degree that basically holds. It actually retains numerous Russian troops occupied and prevents them from breaking by our nation in several instructions. That’s the reason all of our navy believes that it is a crucial level and that numerous enemy troops are destroyed there — 10 occasions extra [than our losses]. They don’t spare them, they abandon them, however our troops destroy them. That’s the reason that is such an necessary second on this warfare.

Q: You latterly spoke by cellphone to Chinese language chief Xi Jinping. Did he offer you any ensures that China wouldn’t provide deadly navy assist to Russia?

A: You must [already] have the reply to this query. We didn’t discuss any ensures — it was our first dialog for the reason that warfare began. For me, it is extremely necessary that China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in response to our 1991 administrative borders, together with the island of Crimea. All of this is essential to me. In response to all this, I heard that China respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The second side that we raised on my facet was the deportation of kids. Nobody will help us. It’s true that over 19,000 youngsters have been taken away, and now we have not discovered a format for returning them. We will solely use some type of corridors to tug Ukrainians out of there, however it is extremely, very, very tough. So, after we discuss methods to interact China, it’s very tough, and all of us perceive why, however nonetheless, we talked about this side with the Chinese language chief in order that he may affect the event of the state of affairs in order that youngsters may return. I can’t discover an strategy to this course of by the United Nations or different establishments sadly. For now. However we’re combating. The third query is that I want to have, you realize, the chance to check with paperwork from the previous. And we had, for higher or worse — everybody has a distinct angle to this doc, however for us, it’s an official doc, and for the world, I believe, it’s, too. It’s the Budapest Memorandum, the place China is likely one of the guarantors. And there, we have been assured security and territorial integrity on the situation of the renunciation of nuclear weapons. … First, right this moment we don’t have territorial integrity. And the guarantors of the Budapest Memorandum, let’s simply say, are all concerned on this warfare to various levels. We actually need them to assist us. And the second difficulty right this moment is the seize of the nuclear energy plant in Zaporizhzhia. That is additionally a nuclear weapon, as a result of there are dangers as a result of seize of six nuclear models, and so I talked to him that we should respect our Budapest Memorandum, everybody who was concerned on this in any case. Now we have to place strain on the truth that there are nuclear dangers. And China must put strain on Russia to de-occupy our nuclear energy plant. Principally, these factors, as I advised the Chinese language chief, are the factors of our method for peace. And I’d very very similar to to see China’s presence, amongst different states, all through these factors. For us, the extra international locations are current in our peace method, the safer it’s for us.

Q: Will there be parliamentary elections within the fall?

A: If now we have martial legislation, we can’t have elections. The structure prohibits any elections throughout martial legislation. If there isn’t a martial legislation, then there might be. Properly, the legislation says that in response to the structure of Ukraine, after martial legislation ends, I believe, in 90 days, elections are held. It’s one thing like that. I don’t bear in mind really.

Anastacia Galouchka contributed to this report.