Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the end of today's visit to Poland that the European Union (EU) by approving 90 billion euros in aid to Ukraine has shown that it has real leaders and that, with the exception of a few skeptical people, a large enough majority in Europe is not afraid of Russian pressure.
"With this decision, Europe demonstrated unity, despite the skepticism of some leaders. The majority, and a sufficient one, showed that, despite pressure from Russia and some other actors, it has its own character and its own leaders," Zelensky said tonight in an interview with the Polish news agency PAP and Polish public service broadcaster TVP and Polish Radio.
Zelensky warned that Russia was counting on Ukraine being financially weak.
"The EU's decision to provide aid has strengthened us and, thanks to that, we have additional assets. Russia was counting on Kiev to be weak, at least financially. And all of this also affects the morale of soldiers when they are not sure whether they will have drones tomorrow, whether there will be problems with ammunition, whether they will have enough of everything. It also affects the lives of civilians," Zelensky said.
The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude to the EU and Poland for the decision on aid for the next two years, which, according to him, in a certain way also counts on Russian funds frozen in European banks.
"We are in favor of reparations. We believe that Russia must be punished for the evil it has done in our country. (Polish Prime Minister) Donald Tusk has done a lot on this issue and we are grateful to him. 90 billion euros over two years is a step forward. We will do everything to end the war and invest these funds in the reconstruction of our country," Zelensky said.
Regarding one of the topics of today's meeting with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, the impression of some Poles, especially radical nationalists and extremists, that Ukraine does not sufficiently appreciate what Poland does for it, Zelensky again thanked for all the help and warned that Warsaw and Kiev cannot afford the luxury of falling out because that plays into Russia's hands.
"Russia longs for the collapse of the Polish-Ukrainian alliance. This is an important alliance. It is a resistance to the narrative that Russia is spreading across Europe to destroy our unity. Therefore, the statements of Polish and Ukrainian officials should lead to the construction of this alliance. In this war, Ukraine is not only protecting itself, but also Europe, including Poland," Zelensky said.
At the end of his visit to Poland, Zelensky also stated that when Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the original causes of the war in Ukraine must be addressed, he is actually just looking for excuses for what caused the war.
"He is not looking for the original cause of the war, but for an excuse. Tomorrow he can say that the war is because of NATO, even though Ukraine has never been in the Alliance. Later he can say that a mere invitation to NATO is already a risk for Russia. At the moment he is talking about some buffer zones. He is saying that it is a great distance. For this man, everything is an opportunity to express his aggression," Zelensky said.
In an interview with Polish public media, the PAP agency, TVP television and Polish Radio, the Ukrainian president expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for trying to negotiate peace, but warned that Putin does not want peace.
"Putin doesn't want to end this war at all, he doesn't even want it to end with just Ukraine. He wants to move on," Zelensky said.
Zelensky acknowledged that currently Ukraine's possible membership in NATO, which is supported by Poland, looks more complicated than before.
"Today, NATO membership is more complicated because we do not see support from the US. When it comes to European integration, Poland has always been among the advocates of our membership. Even the US believes that EU membership would be part of the security guarantees, primarily economic," Zelensky said.
Regarding the talks between official Kiev and the US in an effort to end the war and negotiate peace with Russia, Zelensky said that they are very fruitful, there is progress, and that some issues of security and reconstruction look good.
"There are issues of the future status of Ukraine where we have differences. I am the president of Ukraine and I cannot do that. We have some compromise solutions and a lot of hope. When it comes to President Trump, I don't know whether he trusts me or Putin more," Zelensky said, adding that he always tries to talk to Trump openly and honestly.
Regarding the proposed guarantees in a possible peace agreement, the Ukrainian president said that there is progress, but that the devil is in the details.
"The essential thing is how our allies would react if Russia were to carry out aggression again. European guarantees are another thing, and we are about 90 percent satisfied with that," Zelensky said.
Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with PAP, TVP and Polish Radio that he is not clinging to the presidential seat and that he would call presidential elections if there were guarantees that they could be free, democratic and safe.
"Organizing elections in a state of war would require changes to Ukrainian laws. But if you ask the people of Ukraine whether they want these elections and whether they are ready for them, there is no doubt that everyone is afraid of organizing elections in wartime and cannot imagine how they could be organized and be safe and fair," Zelensky said.
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