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“It is also important for all partners not to forget that Ukraine in this war is defending not only itself, but, first and foremost, Europe. Russia wants to seize our territory in order to then seize the territories of other countries”, - said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during a televised address.
According to him, the aggressor understands that “if this works with one state, with one neighbor, then it will be the same with others”.
“Russia has proceeded this way: a piece of Moldova, parts of Georgia, the seizure of Crimea and the occupation of Donetsk, the subjugation of Belarus. A full-scale war against Ukraine”, - Zelensky reminded.
The President of Ukraine is convinced that russia’s expansion can be stopped only by real strength and real principled positions of all partners.
“That is what matters — principled stance. This concerns both America and the ‘G7’ countries, and European countries. For there to truly be peace in Europe and for russia to stop, there must be appropriate conditions and respect for Ukraine. In every key aspect of security: sovereignty, territorial integrity of Ukraine, security guarantees, accession to the European Union, and the real reconstruction of our country after the war. We are working for a dignified peace”, - the president concluded.
As reported, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that Ukraine may have to come to terms with the possibility that parts of its territory could remain outside Kyiv’s control in a future peace agreement with russia, linking such concessions to the country’s prospects of joining the European Union.