Ukraine's international allies and partners should not be afraid to react to Russia's actions in the same way that Russia itself is acting. In particular, if Russia threatens Kyiv with a blackout, Moscow should understand that they too may be left without electricity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at a press conference.
In particular, the president was asked what influenced the change in US President Donald Trump's vision regarding Ukraine.
"Indeed, I shared with him some vision. The realities on the battlefield. And some vision of what could be. And I believe that there is an influence on Russia. And we should not expect soft steps from Russia towards Ukraine," — Zelensky noted.
As the president said, Ukraine must respond to Russia's actions accordingly.
"We shouldn't be afraid of this. And we shouldn't be too careful in our rhetoric with the "Russians" if they threaten. I believe that civilized countries should have the same rhetoric. Being civilized with the uncivilized — it seems to me that this is a mistake. Both in rhetoric and in more substantive steps regarding the battlefield and (strikes — ed.) deep into the Russian Federation," — said Zelensky.
At the same time, according to the president, Russia sets a goal to plunge Ukraine into a "blackout":
"If Russia destroys and sets the goal of a "blackout" in Ukraine, and sets this goal every winter, I am not sure that the response from us and other partners should be any different. Russia should clearly know that civilized countries differ from savage ones in that they never start first and are not aggressors. But this does not mean that they are weak."
As Zelensky noted, there is no need to show weakness.
"If, for example, the capital of Ukraine is threatened, the Kremlin should know that there will be a blackout in the capital of Russia," Zelensky emphasized.
