“As far as diversion of weapons is concerned, nothing like that has happened. I can't say what will happen next. I think it depends on many factors – the duration of the war will, in my opinion, be the deciding factor in this matter. I hope such steps will not be taken. We see how the United States acted, we understand the amount of weapons it used,” the Interfax-Ukraine agency quoted Zelensky as saying during Saturday's video conference with journalists.
The President of Ukraine on the end of the war with Russia. “This is now the condition for ending the war”
He said that Ukraine also understands what Iran expects from Russia. “These are all factors that influence the further course of events both in Ukraine and in the Middle East,” the president explained.
“Most of the iceberg cannot be seen, and believe me, it is I only showed a small part of it. I am speaking completely honestly (…) This can be approached in different ways, but all the signals that appeared during the entire negotiation process indicate – and this is not just my analysis (…) – that we will be able to obtain security guarantees from the US not before a ceasefire, not before the end of the war (with Russia), but after our troops withdraw from Donbas,” Zelensky said.
The President reminded that Ukraine wants to sign an agreement with the US on security guarantees before the end of the war with Russiaas well as the reconstruction package. He added that these guarantees would take effect after a vote in Congress, and Congress would vote only after the end of the war.
“However, we were told that it is not about when it will come into force, but about when we will receive these guarantees. We will receive guarantees only after we withdraw from Donbas. And this is currently the condition for ending the war,” noted the head of the Ukrainian state. He also emphasized that the risk of renewed aggression from Russia is quite high, therefore Ukraine needs security guarantees.
Zelensky: I am not saying that the US is putting pressure on us
Simultaneously Zelensky denied information that the United States was putting pressure on Ukraine. “Perhaps it was simply perceived that the Americans are allegedly putting pressure on us to withdraw and only then will they provide guarantees. But I am not saying that they are putting pressure on us. And I have never said that, either publicly or otherwise,” he stressed.
– That's a lie. I saw how [Zełenski] he said it, and it's sad that he said it, because he knows it's not true and that's not what he was told. “He was told the obvious: Security guarantees don't take effect until the war ends, or you go into war,” Rubio said.
When asked about the US position on Donbas, Rubio said that the US is only trying to act as an intermediary and mediator between the two sides.
