Zelenskyy says what he expects from US if Russia rejects solutions agreed with Washington

Mariya Yemets, Alona Mazurenko - 16 December, 09:30

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that if Moscow refuses to agree to the terms for ending hostilities worked out following talks with the United States and Europe, it will be time for Donald Trump to apply serious pressure on Russia.

Source: Zelenskyy while speaking to the media after talks in Berlin on 15 December, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The president was asked what, in his view, would happen if Ukraine, the United States and Europe finalised certain agreements as a result of negotiations, and the Kremlin rejected them.

"If Putin rejects everything, then what we will have is what is happening to us on the plane right now. Turbulence. It is indeed happening now," Zelenskyy joked. "But it is not as severe compared with the war, of course. And compared with what would happen if Putin were to destroy any diplomatic opportunities and willingness on the part of Ukraine, Europe and the United States."

He went on to say that in such a case it would be logical for the United States to put tough pressure on Russia and to expand assistance to Ukraine.

"I think America would apply pressure through sanctions and provide us with more weapons if he rejects everything. I think this would be a fair request from us to the Americans. Because, in my view, the logic is this: if the Americans are ready to provide security guarantees to Ukraine and to apply strong guarantees if Putin violates them, then tell me frankly how this is different from a situation where Putin simply does not want to end the war?" Zelenskyy said.

"I believe this would be a fair request from me as president, and from some European leaders, to at least give us part of these guarantees so that we can defend ourselves against Putin. Air defence and long-range weapons," he concluded.

Background:

During the briefing, Zelenskyy said that a total of five documents are to be formalised following the talks, some of which relate to security guarantees, while others concern recovery. According to him, there has been "serious progress" on the issue of guarantees.
The president also stressed that Ukraine will not agree to either legal or de facto recognition of the occupied Donbas as Russian.
According to sources cited by US media, Washington believes that "90% of the disagreements" between Ukraine and Russia have been resolved.

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