Zelenskyy: Even Hamas demonstrates the ability to negotiate, but not Putin

Zelenskyy: Even Hamas demonstrates the ability to negotiate, but not Putin

Ukraine does not fight for the sake of war itself, as Russia does. And even Hamas is showing readiness for negotiations, but not the dictator Vladimir Putin. However, this is for now.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this in his traditional address. He added that Ukrainian precision is already visible and there should be more of it.

"It is completely fair that Ukraine delivers precise retaliatory strikes. And, unlike Russia, we know what we aim to achieve. Without a doubt, it is peace," the Ukrainian leader emphasized.

Main points from the President’s address:

– Military issues. We discussed in great detail with the military command the use of our long-range weapons – the deployment of our missiles and drones. Some matters concern production, supply to the army, and training of our crews. The task now is to be much more active in everything related to the preparation and execution of long-range strikes against Russia.

– The more successful Ukraine is in long-range capabilities, the sooner we will be able to achieve peace. Ukrainian long-range weaponry is becoming significantly better, and we are constantly working on this, already providing many different opportunities for production, necessary finances, and support. We must also significantly scale up its use. We have clear plans for the coming months. Everything must be implemented.

– Together with our partners, we are creating conditions to force Russia into peace. And it will happen. We support all global diplomatic efforts for peace in the Middle East and very much hope that fair pressure on Russia will bring peace to Ukraine and our entire region as well. It is important that the leadership of the United States of America continues to work on this.

– Today, I held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the diplomatic team of the Office regarding drafts of our resolutions and documents in international organizations that need to be adopted this year. I instructed to involve partners to the maximum, especially leading partners, so that global support for our initiatives continues.

– This concerns, in particular, very sensitive issues such as the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, all those held in Russia. And we know about people who have been in captivity since 2014. It also concerns children abducted by Russia – time is passing too quickly, and not only every year – every month is critical for each child separated from their family and native environment – from Ukraine.

– We know a lot about the absolutely totalitarian programs of re-education of children in Russia, designed to prepare them to fight even against their true Homeland, against their true home. Thousands of such Ukrainian children are in occupied territories and in Russia. And I thank everyone who works with us to bring them home. These are various countries – from Canada to Qatar – that are helping us. In our coalition for the return of Ukrainian children, there are already over 40 countries, plus the European Union, plus the Council of Europe. And it is important to achieve results from this joint work.

– Also, for tomorrow, I have scheduled a meeting on the audit of all our agreements with partners for this year: what has been achieved, what has been implemented, and what still needs to be implemented. Ukrainian foreign policy in these years is much more active than ever before. And it is necessary that every meeting, every agreement of ours yields real results for Ukraine. Everything we have agreed upon with leaders must be truly executed at the level of our teams.

– Based on the results of such a foreign policy audit, there will be corresponding conclusions and instructions for the next three months. Weapons for Ukraine, finances, energy support, all forms of pressure on Russia, and the negotiation track – these are key directions. The Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Office, the National Security and Defense Council – I expect reports from each institution.

– I also held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the Minister of Energy, and the head of Naftogaz regarding the main issues of our preparation for winter, as well as, of course, recovery in the regions after Russian strikes. Practically every morning, there are new tasks for our energy workers, for repair crews. Russian strikes do not stop, and civilian infrastructure, energy infrastructure, are the main targets for Russians.

– We will resist. We are resisting. And it is important that partners are ready to help us. We have determined who to contact and what exactly needs to be achieved in the coming weeks. Internal work at the level of communities and regions will also have to be carried out by everyone. Otherwise, there will be conclusions regarding the leaders.