At the briefing on the results of the third summit of the Crimean platform, the president held a press conference and answered the question journalists about the situation in the war and the prospects for its end.
Zelensky stated that he has an unequivocal position regarding Ukrainian territories
The head of state emphasized that he, as the president, has an unequivocal position on the issue of Ukrainian territories.
"Crimea is Ukraine. We are fighting for Crimea and all other temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. We do not exchange our territories for any membership in any union," the Ukrainian leader noted.
Zelenskyi commented on the possibility of delivery from Finland
At a press conference with the Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo in Kyiv, the head of state noted that the priority for Ukraine is the F-16 - due to their number, which can meet the needs of the Ukrainian Air Force. However, according to him, Ukraine is ready to receive any type of aircraft.
"We are at war... We take everything we are given to defend our state. We are ready to learn on everything that floats and flies. If Finland doesn't need F-18s, then let's go - we'll gladly [take it]," he said.
Zelensky on punishment for Putin
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commented on the future punishment for the Russian President, Volodymyr Putin, and for all those involved in the murder of people in Ukraine.
In particular, he noted that this issue will be raised at the Crimean platform, as well as at the meeting of the UN Assembly in New York.
"Here it is: if Ukraine does not raise this issue, everyone will slowly forget about it. This is our problem and our task - to connect the world around our problems. Don't cry for these or other partners, but work yourself," said the president.
About support from the US
According to the president, now Ukraine "does not need" to convince its Western partners that Ukraine needs their support in defense against Russian aggression.
About Western fighters
Regarding the F-16, there is a "clear agreement" with Denmark about 19 fighters. They will arrive in several stages.
"Unfortunately, all this is not fast. We have to give our pilots, other specialists. Separately, we will build infrastructure for modern fighters," the president noted.
Zelensky described the details of the counteroffensive and explained the difficulty
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are moving forward — the counteroffensive is taking place in several directions. However, it is very difficult to move through minefields.
According to him, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are moving little by little, but the direction is correct.
"Regarding the counterattack. We see it in several directions. We are moving forward. It is very difficult for us, because the mining is very dense. Thousands of mines are what Russia is leaving behind. The most important thing is trends. The military reports this trend to me: we are constantly marching and moving forward," the president emphasized.
About the deoccupation of Crimea
The head of state emphasized that he, as the president, has an unequivocal position on the issue of Ukrainian territories. The president ruled out the possibility that Ukraine could exchange the occupied territories, in particular Crimea, for the possibility of unhindered accession to NATO.
"Crimea is Ukraine. We are fighting for Crimea and all other temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. We do not exchange our territories for any membership in any union," the head of state emphasized.
The president promised that after liberation, Crimea will be well protected, the economy will begin to recover there, but it will no longer be a tourist oasis.
Zelensky about his year and a half of war: there were enough mistakes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, he has made enough mistakes. The head of state clarified that at the moment he cannot name either his main mistake during the year and a half of the war, nor his main victory.
"There were enough mistakes," he answered when asked to name the main mistake.
Zelensky announced possible changes in the mobilization process: will everyone serve?
"I will say frankly: the military approached me with this. To make it possible to mobilize more."
He emphasized that it is necessary to understand who and how mobilizes the population. With this, the politician explained the importance of the issues of the Military Committees and the Military Medical Commission (MMC).
"We need to speed up the processes and restore order as soon as possible, and then start talking about increasing it - how, by whom, with what," Zelenskyy said.
About the end of the war
According to Zelenskyi, Ukrainians have no other choice but to fight and defend their territories. He would also like Ukraine to lose fewer of its people during de-occupation, and to defend its territories through diplomacy.
"We simply have no other way out, because we are fighting for our own, and we don't have much of it - we have one country. So I cannot say whether we will have a third independence day during the war. And in Crimea, as you said, people cannot normally celebrate Independence Day. Is that not the case with us? To be honest, there is no war in Crimea now. Crimea is occupied, this is a terrible tragedy. People are dying in our country," the president said.
Zelensky believes that Independence Day is an important state holiday. However, everyone should remember that it is hard to come by.
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