President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave an interview to the TV channel 1+1 on June 24. In it, he told whether he would run for re-election, what he would say to Biden at a meeting in Washington, and why the choice fell on the NSDC sanctions, and not on the legislation mechanisms.
Second tenure and competitors
Zelenskyy said he was not sure whether he would run for re-election. According to him, everything depends on people’s support. At the same time, he is sure that he has no rivals among Ukrainian politicians—he is beyond competition.
«I don't have a single competitor. My competitors are infrastructure, war, poor people... this is what will catch up with me. These are my main competitors.»
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Ukraine and NATO
According to Zelenskyy, the former presidents of Ukraine misbehaved in terms of NATO membership. They should put pressure on the Alliance, and not declare NATO membership as an agenda. Especially since joining NATO is not a matter of politics for Ukraine, but a matter of elementary security, protection from the Kremlin.
«I believe that the MAP issue is not an issue of communication between Ukraine and Russia. This is our communication with the countries of the alliance. In principle, I'll tell you my attitude regarding NATO membership—we ourselves are to blame for some things. Because the NATO issue is still a security issue, and we have been using it as a political issue for 13 years: amendments to the Constitution—and we are already in NATO.»
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Infrastructure and roads of Kyiv
Zelenskyy stated that he has "no relations" with the head of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. Nevertheless, the President is ready to provide assistance to Kyiv in reconstring the infrastructure, including roads and bridges, so that people do not suffer.
"Ukravtodor turned to Kyivavtodor with a request to transfer to us all the central roads and, most importantly, all the bridges, because when the bridge falls, God forbid, there will be a terrible tragedy. The mayor said the bridges are in a state of fatigue."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Ukraine is one matter, Donbas is another one
Zelenskyy did not rule out the option of developing events in eastern Ukraine, in which Ukraine would have to finally separate Donbas from itself. But, in his opinion, the people of Ukraine should speak about this first of all. Therefore, the question will be submitted to a referendum if necessary.
"If we do not succeed in any alternative agreements with the United States, with the Russian Federation, separately with Europe and in parallel the Normandy format. If all this fails, then the people of Ukraine will vote on the wall."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Meeting with Biden
During a meeting with US President Biden, Zelenskyy wants to discuss a large number of issues with him. He divided these questions into several blocks:
- providing MAP for Ukraine;
- developing the bilateral relations between the United States and Ukraine;
- signing of a defense contract or defense memorandum between Kyiv and Washington;
- the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2;
- the war in Donbass and the occupation of Crimea;
- ensuring the security of the Black Sea and the Azov coasts;
- rebuilding of the Ukrainian fleet;
- economic issues, in particular cooperation with the International Monetary Fund;
- increasing military aid for Ukraine.
About NSDC
Zelensky called the NSDC his weapon that he used and would continue to use in order to achieve some changes in Ukraine. He was not satisfied with the situation when he needed to negotiate, so he decided to use the NSDC.
«I'm a completely different person. I believe that any person in our country is free, regardless of the level, party, finances. A person should get one warning and that's enough. We have come to change the country, let's change it. Therefore, everything that I have at hand: all the power, all my weapons, the NSDC is one of the types of this weapon, and I use it.»
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy added that in the Office of the President, the choice was made between legislative changes—the slow option, and the NSDC sanctions—the fast option. The latter was chosen.
About the Constitutional Court
Zelenskyy dismissed the head of the CCU Oleksandr Tupytskyi, because the work of the latter was controlled by many groups of influence from various spheres. Following their instructions, Tupytskyi could destroy anti-corruption, land and language reforms.
«I blocked the actions of the Constitutional Court that I consider unlawful. Not only me, but by the decision of the NSDC. After all, not only me alone, but with my signature I put it into effect [such a decision—ed.]».
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy added that one could disagree with the reforms, but one should not try to sabotage and destroy them.
«He didn't understand me and did what he did. That's all. Because he was subjected, I believe, by different financial levers by different groups, in particular, political and business, that still accompany his life and work.»
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
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