Blocking Negotiation Talks with Russia in BBC Interview
“Kremlin Palace Drone Attack Denied as Russian False Claim”
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, said on the 11th (local time) regarding the counteroffensive operation against Russia, "We have to wait. More time is still needed." He reiterated the policy of 'no' to the possibility of negotiations based on conceding part of Ukrainian territory.
According to local media, President Zelensky stated in an interview with the BBC aired that day, "(With what we have now) we can advance and succeed. But many soldiers will be lost, and that is unacceptable." Regarding the combat brigade recently trained by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), he said, "They are ready," but added, "There are still things needed, including armored vehicles that are waiting to arrive."
President Zelensky's remarks are interpreted as an attempt to block talks with Russia. The strategy is to lower expectations for the counteroffensive operation because if Ukraine fails to demonstrate its capabilities through this counterattack, Western support might weaken.
The BBC interpreted Zelensky's remarks as expressing confidence in the war while warning against the risk of a prolonged conflict induced by Russia through a reckless counteroffensive.
Furthermore, President Zelensky reaffirmed the policy that negotiations based on 'territorial concessions' are impossible. He raised his voice, saying, "(No one) can pressure Ukraine to concede territory," and asked, "Which country in the world should give territory to Putin?"
He also dismissed concerns that support for Ukraine might weaken if U.S. President Joe Biden fails to win re-election in next year's U.S. presidential election. President Zelensky asserted, "Ukraine still enjoys bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress," and said, "Who knows where we will be at the time of the election? By then, we will have already won." He added, "Russia still has a large stockpile, but we are already seeing a reduction in Russian shelling in some areas."
Meanwhile, he flatly denied Russia's claim that Ukraine attempted to assassinate President Putin by attacking the Kremlin with drones on the 2nd. President Zelensky described the claim as a Russian 'false flag' operation and a staged act, saying, "They constantly look for ways to justify the situation by saying, 'You did this, so we will do the same.'" He emphasized, "Such staged acts do not even work in Russia," and added, "This incident is so artificial that even their own propagandists do not believe it."
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