ABC Information’ Martha Raddatz interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine on Friday, June 6.
Parts of this interview have been translated from Ukrainian to English. This can be a transcript of the interview.
RADDATZ: President Zelensky, thanks a lot for doing this. I wish to begin with what has occurred in the previous few days, Vladimir Putin saying he’ll retaliate, and we’ve got seen that during the last night time and extra anticipated.
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): Thanks very a lot for being right here. And you have witnessed it firsthand. Sadly, you needed to witness it and perceive what is nearly each night time in Ukraine for our individuals.
What Putin mentioned shouldn’t be true as a result of when you have a look at our operation bef– In the future earlier than our operation, probably the most large assault by the Russians was launched, 480-something drones had been launched and likewise loads of missiles. Nearly half a thousand drones alone. A day earlier than our operation, so he simply wished to justify his subsequent strikes. We perceive that, we see it. In all probability individuals do not understand that– all individuals do not understand that. However they’ve to grasp that we’re below strikes, below assault daily. We’ve got intelligence knowledge and we all know that Russia– Russia can strike wherever. And generally they’ve particular targets, generally they hit civilian targets only for individuals to endure. And also you would possibly keep in mind that after they had been speaking about ceasefires, momentary ceasefire, they nonetheless continued attacking and launching strikes. They suppose that placing such strain on us, they’ll affect the scenario, political scenario after.
RADDATZ: Let’s speak about Operation Spiderweb–
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Please
RADDATZ: A rare, extraordinary feat. Inform us how that occurred, the way it began. I do know you’ve gotten mentioned you had been concerned a yr and a half in the past you began planning this secret operation.
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): It is a bit of bit greater than 18 months, a yr and a half. Or- Like- Safety Service of Ukraine says one yr, six months, 9 days. It is a very sophisticated operation, very advanced operation. It is crucial from the perspective that we understood from the very starting, from the start of the full-scale warfare.
When Iran began serving to Russia with their assault drones, with Shahed drones, on the time it was simply dozens of drones, later it turned tons of of drones as a result of Iran offered Russian licenses to construct factories, to construct development meeting traces for Shahed drones, and it was– Comprehensible even at the moment that it will likely be troublesome for us to counter large strikes, and particularly the Russians don’t wish to cease after they really feel the odor of blood. They simply wish to kill. It isn’t only a metaphor. So we understood that we are able to solely counter it with power, and we understood in the event that they do some steps, we are able to cease them of their tracks, and doubtless then they are going to be prepared for some sort of diplomacy and talks. So then I instructed our individuals from particular providers that we’ve got to do every thing for the Russians to really feel that their strikes, with their strategic airplanes and strategic plane, must cease.
As a result of we had been persevering with diplomatic work as nicely, however there was hundreds of their operations in these yr and a half from them, and it was actually torture for our individuals. They simply– they just– they simply hit theaters, museums, libraries, , water remedy vegetation. Shelters, bomb shelters.
Whereas we understood the place these strikes had been coming from, we had determined to arrange such operation like that, as a result of it was not the primary operation, earlier than that we had a number of operations concentrating on the Black Sea Fleet, the Russian Black Sea fleet, as a result of earlier than they used their warships to launch missile strikes on civilian targets and simply on civilians. So we managed to break and destroy dozens of warships and boats as a result of, , earlier than the warfare, as , we did not have a correct fleet ourselves.
do not wish to deviate out of your principal query, nevertheless it’s simply so that you can perceive that we managed to fabricate loads of sea drones, maritime drones, after which so we managed to push the Russians from the Black Sea Fleet. They nonetheless can use the submarines and another warships, however the majority of boats and warships had been destroyed and broken. And the second query was about strategic air power, and the Safety Service of Ukraine was intently monitoring this situation. Why this safety service? As a result of it is a very secret clandestine operation, and our guys are simply good at doing what they’re doing, gathering intelligence, and the safety service made certain this operation was completely secret and clandestine and there have been no leaks prematurely about this operation. So moreover those that had been concerned in planning this operation, nobody knew about it.
There was additionally a narrative concerning the Crimean bridge, as a result of aside from warships, the Crimean bridge was a really important logistics route for provides of Russian armed forces. So we deliberate additionally a number of strikes in opposition to the Crimean bridge. So we had some strikes, and when you attempt to consider the success of this operation on the size of zero to 10, we’d say seven or eight. Not ten, not excellent, however at the least it was nonetheless profitable. Was the–
With the operation Spiderweb, no– there have been no civilian casualties, no ladies with kids, no firefighters, rescuers. Nobody–no one suffered any accidents or deaths. So our drones weren’t falling on playgrounds, or faculties, or civilian infrastructure amenities. However we managed to destroy 34% of strategic air power of Russia, on the airfields that had been used particularly for flying sorties in opposition to Ukraine. And so they nonetheless proceed to make use of these airfields. They wish to present–they wish to present their very own inhabitants that the Ukrainian strike was most likely not that profitable.
RADDATZ: So that you consider you probably did destroy possibly 40 plane. Others say possibly 10 to twenty. What number of did you destroy?
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): We predict and — we’ve got our analytics that we destroyed 34% of their strategic air jets and particularly these jets which they used to assault our civil infrastructure, individuals, kids. They killed lots of people. It isn’t about tons of, it is about hundreds.
RADDATZ: From these very plane.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Sure. Sure. And that is for us, we expect that minimal it is about 30%, 34%, and what we all know it is about 41, possibly 42, however 41, uh it is our estimation, 41 jet. Yeah.
RADDATZ: The place had been you-
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Seven billion, by the way in which a bit of bit extra the value of this operation, I imply this for Russians, greater than seven billion {dollars}.
RADDATZ: And the drone’s not very costly.
ZELENSKYY: Sure, not. They- They- We use low-cost drones.
RADDATZ: The place had been you that night time when this was launched? What was it like for you watching the success of this operation?
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): I used to be in fixed contact with the top of the Safety Service of Ukraine and with these guys who had been concerned. I can’t — I can’t, after all, inform you the precise location of the place these guys had been positioned. There have been particular locations. However I used to be in fixed contact, in fixed communication, and when the operation was over, I, after all, was watching the movies that the entire world was watching.
Later and I awarded them state awards as a result of it is comprehensible that after so successful, despite all of the difficulties in preparation, it was crucial for me how cleanly it went, how easily it went. And as I– as I– as I mentioned already, there have been no casualties on the facet of civilians, on the facet of households, Russians. No person’s suffered like our kids endure daily. So I feel the operation is completely excellent, and I congratulated all the fellows concerned, after which I awarded all of them, and a few of them– a few of them had been awarded the very best awards, however I can’t identify these individuals for the curiosity of, um, secrecy. These individuals are extraordinarily intelligent, extraordinarily sensible. They’ve data and experience. It is simply the individuals who perceive each nuance of the technical and scientific facet.
RADDATZ: Just some extra questions on this after which we’ll get to different issues however when you might clarify these vehicles you had russian drivers who had no thought.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): They did not know.
RADDATZ: They did not know.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): The drivers did not what they do. Yeah, they simply did their job, and et cetera, after all, after all.
RADDATZ: And hidden on these trucks–
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): We used Ukrainians, and we used solely our weapon. For me, it was crucial that we do not use, we did not use any weapon of our companions, not as a result of we do not want, no we’d like. However that what I mentioned, that it is simply navy targets. Not utilizing companion’s weapon. That was my job as a result of I did not need Russians then to say that you simply see Ukrainians use one thing from the USA or UK, France, Italy, that they use the weapon from the companions and so they mentioned sure, however that is why I wished very a lot to make use of solely what we produce and to have the separation very clear.
RADDATZ: And we’ve got heard that they knew what components of that airplane to hit as a result of you’ve gotten airplanes right here in museums.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Sure. They knew precisely the place to hit, and so they did it precisely what was of their thought, step-by-step, they did very clear this operation.
RADDATZ: And final query on that, however so the Russian drivers go in throughout Russia. They suppose they’ve containers or mobile– cell items, cell cottages, don’t know the drones are there and these roofs are going to open up with drones.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): They did not know something. They did not know what will likely be within the roofs. They did not know simply when it will– as a result of they did not know what it will likely be. That is why they did not know when it’s going to be and the place. So, that is, I feel that is essential. Crucial.
ZELESNKYY (UKRAINIAN): Yeah, it was crucial to make sure that later the Russians would not be capable to say, oh, the Ukrainians simply managed to recruit these Russian drivers, and people are the traitors of Russia, that it is a terrorist assault. No, it isn’t a terrorist assault. It is– It is– It is clear and clear navy operation. It is a step that confirmed everybody that we don’t want this warfare. We don’t wish to struggle. We would like every thing to cease, as one journalist requested me — It was a girl — And she or he requested me — It was simply at some point after the Istanbul assembly and he or she requested me, if the ceasefire was in place on account of Istanbul assembly, Istanbul talks, if the Russians agreed — Yeah, the operation was at some point earlier than —
RADDATZ: Oh, you are most likely speaking concerning the ceasefire and that she, I feel I keep in mind that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): So the query was that in this month, it is comprehensible that we ready the operation multiple yr and a half. And the query was, throughout these months, you spoke about ceasefire. And the query was, if Russia, since you wished, Ukraine wished very a lot ceasefire, full, unconditional ceasefire. Any sort of ceasefire we, sure, we’re proposed. So if Russia might settle for ceasefire, it has been that the operation would not be. I mentioned, after all, that is it. So we’re defending us. And ceasefire is part or the step to the peace. And that is why we’d like ceasefire.
RADDATZ: So though you had this unbelievable plan underway, that would not have occurred if there was a ceasefire.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Sure, after all. Sure, after all, however we’ve got to arrange such plans and we’re not stopping. We’ve got to arrange such plans as a result of Russia cannot, as a result of we do not know, we’ve got no estimation what will likely be tomorrow from that. We do not actually know if they’ll cease this warfare. They do not need. They do not wish to cease the warfare. That is the issue.
RADDATZ: You are satisfied of that.
ZELESNKYY (UKRAINIAN): Sure, I’m satisfied as a result of they don’t really feel any strain. Putin desires to get again the legendary energy of the Soviet Union, however I do not suppose there are people who find themselves able to explaining that to Putin. I am certain. That is a… He simply desires to revive, to revive this Soviet Union superpower. And to begin with, it is essential to get Ukraine, as a result of Ukraine, after Russia, Ukraine was the most important and strongest republic of the previous Soviet Union. And moreover, the companions are not– are usually not forceful sufficient to place strain on him, and Putin feels it very, very a lot.
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): And inside Russia, individuals need this to proceed.
RADDATZ: That is what I noticed as nicely once I was inside Russia, that there was help for Putin for this to proceed. President Trump advised our Terry Moran in an interview, a current interview, that he does consider Putin desires peace. You suppose he is improper.
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): With all due respect to President Trump, after all. I feel it is simply his private opinion possibly. I had a number of conferences with him and never as soon as. I did not change my place, uh, as to– as to the true causes and root of warfare and my place. I really feel strongly that Putin doesn’t wish to end this warfare. In– Inside his head– Inside his thoughts it is unattainable to finish this warfare with out whole defeat of Ukraine. If Ukraine shouldn’t be defeated, he is not going to really feel that it is a victory for him. Belief me, we perceive the Russians significantly better, the mentality of the Russians, than the Individuals perceive the mentality of Russians. We’re neighbors for like years and ages. So it’s– it’s– it is totally different. We perceive the Russians. Our individuals perceive the Russians. I do know for certain that Putin would not wish to cease the warfare.
And they’re going to stay very, very pragmatic if very laborious strain is utilized on them, then they’ll cease the warfare. However then the query, the subsequent query will likely be for the way lengthy they’ll cease this warfare?And I advised President Trump many instances about– about that. When and if the warfare stops there will likely be a query about safety ensures, and I talked with President Trump about it many instances. We all know the Russians very nicely. With out correct securities, robust safety ensures, if we’ve got such, then the peace will likely be sustainable and lengthy. If there are weak safety ensures, it’s going to simply be a pause.
RADDATZ: So what occurs if you don’t suppose and you don’t belief Putin that he desires peace, and even when you signal on to some type of settlement, that he’ll maintain that promise? The place does that depart you? The place does it depart Ukraine?
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): The vast majority of wars, when you learn the historical past books. The vast majority of wars had been ended even on the stage when each side, each events, didn’t belief one another. There have been intermediaries, there was a powerful place of, uh, third nations. Everybody understood that the warfare isn’t just to begin and to complete, to begin and to cease. The warfare stays, , like an extended tail, the lengthy tail– the lengthy aftertaste, so to say, and it influences loads of different nations and so much of– loads of totally different elements of life, its– its power, energy provide, its– its meals provide, its– its– its environmental points. There’s so much of– loads of stuff.
And in any case, if it isn’t an entire capitulation, like was Germany on the finish of Second World Conflict, the vast majority of wars had been completed with some sorts of agreements, some sorts of offers, however for that there must be some robust third events concerned who can put strain on the aggressor, as a result of we’re prepared for the assembly or for the summit. Look, what the USA provided, the previous administration put ahead a number of proposals. The brand new administration is placing ahead a number of proposals. And no matter President Trump is placing ahead, we settle for this as a result of we expect that he can put strain on the Russians, even when you do not like their proposals. Will we uh– can we just like the ceasefire with out safety ensures? Not very a lot, however nonetheless, we help it. We had been prepared for the lengthy 30-day ceasefire. We’re prepared for the ceasefire till the leaders’ summit is organized. We’re prepared for ceasefire on land, on sea and within the air, something.
What– what totally different envoys of the Trump administration provided, each side, we supported each supply, each proposal. However Russia didn’t– did not help and simply rejected each single supply from Trump Administration.
So, we should not communicate like in philosophical phrases. If– if the edges don’t need, we’ve got to attend for a bit of bit, nevertheless it’s not proper. Our facet don’t reject any provides. We agree to each supply. We don’t wish to give up to Putin. We’re not prepared for ultimatums, and we wish to finish the warfare. We’re prepared for ceasefire.
We’re prepared for concrete ceasefire that American facet is providing and we noticed the USA as a guarantor of the ceasefire and who might monitor the effectiveness of the ceasefire.
RADDATZ: Do you suppose President Trump is placing sufficient strain on Vladimir Putin? You might have heard him over the previous few weeks. Typically he says, cease this. He is loopy. He is completely loopy. And different instances, like this week, he in contrast it, the warfare, to kids combating and simply allow them to maintain combating some time earlier than you pull them aside. So do you suppose he’s placing sufficient strain on Vladimir Putin?
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): Properly, each particular person can categorical his or her ideas. And I feel it is an essential argument and worth of the democracy that we really are defending in opposition to the Russians, the liberty of speech. I do not suppose that President Trump. That this allegory concerning the kids could be very comparable with our warfare. As a result of we weren’t enjoying within the park with the Russians like two boys, and it isn’t a narrative of two children. It is a story of them coming to us with aggression, and Putin shouldn’t be a child. He is an grownup man, and he understands correctly what he was doing. He is a maniac who got here to the playground and– and begins, , intimidating, killing kids. Kidnapping kids, deporting kids, leaving kids with out dad and mom. So we won’t actually evaluate. And in my thoughts, we can’t say, OK, allow them to struggle for some time.
We’re speaking a few manic, a bandit, a rogue, and the child. This child is us. Sure, we’ve got grown up throughout this warfare, however anyway, he got here to our playground, to our children’ playground, and, uh, the adults of this world ought to not– shouldn’t talk about and negotiate with a manic. They need to isolate him, imprison him, isolate him from regular individuals. And when this manic is a terrorist– they’re attempting to– they’re attempting to debate one thing with him simply to– to– to– to power him liberate individuals. Putin would not disguise the truth that he got here to our land, to our nation with weapons and arms. He is pleased with it. Properly, after all, he argues that he come right here to guard individuals, to defend some individuals sooner or later. However now, yeah, now he is proudly saying that I got here there and can proceed doing that as a result of I’m satisfied that traditionally this territory is our land, this land is Russian land. This can be a manic. This isn’t a child within the park.
Are there sufficient levers and powers to cease this in the USA? Sure, I’m satisfied that the President of the USA has all of the powers and sufficient leverage to step up. He can– he can unite round him different companions like European leaders, all of them wanting on the President Trump as a pacesetter of the free world, a free, democratic world and they’re ready for him.
They– they need him to turn into chief, they’re telling him, ‘you’re the chief of the free world. We are going to assist. We, as Europeans, we’ll enable you to. You and us collectively, we are able to cease Putin. As a result of Europe, sadly, shouldn’t be as robust as America. Europe must turn into, sooner or later, as robust as America, however that is future and we’re speaking about in the present day. And in the present day there is a wrestle and a struggle. And in the present day President Trump can do this, can do every thing. I really wish to thank the the U.S. Senate, Congress, and uh, and senators and congressmen concerning the sanction package deal that’s being ready, like Lindsey Graham, and I am very grateful to him. He was right here with Richard Blumenthal, Senator, and we mentioned the difficulty and we’re very grateful and grateful to them. These are robust steps, as a result of there is not any different solution to discuss to individuals who perceive nothing however power, however energy.
RADDATZ: I wish to discuss a bit about your relationship with President Trump and what he has advised you. All of us noticed that Oval Workplace, chaotic, disastrous assembly. I do know after that assembly, you tried to restore that relationship. Inform us what it was like within the aftermath.
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): It is quite– it is fairly sophisticated. It was, nicely, you might watch it– you might watch it reside. And it was very clear and really simple when you might see it reside on TV. However as I always– once I always– I used to remind everybody, cameras do not lie. Everyone might see on their– on their tv screens. I feel the results of that assembly, I used to be very sincere and open.
After I mentioned that when a small nation is combating for its life in opposition to the large with the– with all that evil that they introduced with their military and their weapons to our land. We nonetheless have robust sides, it is individuals, it is ethical ethics. The reality, dignity on our facet.
And, and I have a look at these 5 issues that I discussed with nice respect, with particular respect. I–I–I will be emotional, I will be much less emotional, however I am at all times about reality and for defending reality. Typically, through the warfare, one thing is–is–is most likely pointless, however through the warfare, I can’t lose my dignity through the warfare. I haven’t got a proper, as an individual and as a president of the nation who defends the reality and who defends the nation. And this reality generally is in America, is probably– it would not sound as one thing crucial, however for us, it is extraordinarily essential. 90,000 individuals are useless.
And it isn’t 20 missiles, however 420 missiles. 631 kids misplaced their lives. It isn’t 100 kids on all sides. It is 631 Ukrainian kids died in these years of the warfare. For somebody, it is simply common figures, common numbers for somebody. However for me, it is extraordinarily essential and I’ll defend my place. And I used to be attempting to do this through the assembly on the Oval Workplace. And what occurred there, I really brazenly mentioned it is not going to assist our events, each our nations. So I would like our subsequent conferences to be proper, to be sincere, however sincere in a approach of parity, that they’ll, they’ll defend the dignity of our individuals. The subsequent assembly was in Vatican. Sure, it was very quick, nevertheless it was very productive.
RADDATZ: These photographs from that assembly on the Vatican had been very highly effective. You seemed very intense, such as you had been getting alongside, such as you had been getting your message by. Did your relationship with President Trump change that day? And does it stay modified?
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): Properly, I would love to–to consider that our relationship modified for the higher, however I–I–I do not know. I do not know for certain. I can not provide you with 100% assure. I wish to consider that we’ve got a standard, equal, skilled relationship. I shouldn’t have for my part sufficient contacts with President Trump to grasp the deep nature of our relationship. I would love extra talks and extra communication with President Trump. There are individuals who talk with President greater than me and so they ship totally different messages to him. Some messages you’ll be able to agree with, some messages, no. It isn’t as a result of I am in opposition to — It is simply —
I am right here. I am right here and I do know precisely what is occurring right here in Ukraine. I feel, I feel if you end up a president of the nation right here within the nation, contained in the nation extra about sure issues and all issues than simply unusual individuals. And in any, in any human relationship, I feel that mutual belief is essential. This belief is predicated on mutual respect. When you’ve got respect and belief, each, each different facet will likely be higher. That is how I construct my relationship, how I develop my relationship, simply in my life. If you do not have respect, yeah, you do not have relationship. So, you want extra time, you want extra alternatives for that and extra time as a result of, okay, quarter-hour in Vatican, tet a tet, one to 1, quarter-hour, did extra to determine this belief than the assembly with many individuals current within the Oval Workplace.
RADDATZ: President Zelensky, you communicate so powerfully concerning the loss in your nation and what your individuals have suffered. Do you suppose the president is getting that message when he says issues prefer it’s two kids combating?
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): You realize, even dad and mom in Ukraine who reside in Ukraine. And who struggle for the survival of their household, of their kids, they can’t really feel the complete ache of these dad and mom who misplaced their kids. It is unattainable. I’ll by no means consider it. You possibly can commiserate, however I’ll by no means consider you could really feel it. And the president who shouldn’t be dwelling right here. And it isn’t about President Trump, it is about any one that shouldn’t be right here within the nation, who is a few hundreds of miles away, can’t really feel absolutely and perceive this ache. And it is true. We had a day not too long ago that. Uh. It is the day that we commemorate the reminiscence of youngsters who suffered throughout this warfare. And many individuals gathered. It was a big–big occurring with the diplomatic representatives from many nations. And each one in every of us at this assembly, all of us wished to say one thing, and–and we really mentioned very simply and truthful phrases. And all of us, we are able to communicate all of us, we are able to say the precise phrases. After which there was a father.
From Kryvyi Rih who lost–who misplaced his spouse and three kids in a single missile strike. He is a civilian man. He by no means went to warfare. However in one–in one missile strike, he misplaced his spouse and three kids when there was a drone missile incoming straight into his residence flat. And , he spoke very totally different phrases than us diplomats and the statesmen. And he wasn’t–he wasn’t mentioning any statistics or figures and numbers of strikes and missiles, et cetera. And he simply mentioned, each morning once I get up.
I am wanting round, I am simply searching for my household. I am– I’m wanting in all places within the flat. I–I– I am searching for them simply beside me and they aren’t there as a result of I nonetheless really feel that it was a nightmare. It wasn’t actual. It was a dream, unhealthy dream.
I’m going exterior and I see a father who retains his little woman by the hand and the woman is rather like my useless daughter and I simply really feel bodily ache and I can not do something about it and this–this ache is–is simply limitless.
Do individuals who have not misplaced the children really feel one thing like that? In all probability not. Can president who–who is in America really feel precisely like this father? No. And this is the reason. We’re not children with Putin on the playground within the park. This is the reason I’m saying he’s a assassin who got here to this park to kill the children.
RADDATZ: What do you suppose President Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin is?
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): Positively longer relationship than I’ve with him as a result of everyone knows it, it is from open sources, the financial relationship. And judging by info that I’ve seen uh even earlier than he was–even earlier than he turned president. Trump is a businessman, and it is like you–you have a change of presidents in America, in contrast to Russia. And I feel, for Trump, enterprise is essential.
For Trump, it is essential to type of prolong the geopolitical line of relationship between America and the Soviet Union again then.
RADDATZ: Steve Witkoff. Okay, okay. Yeah, nicely, I am..
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): I am– I am answering.
RADDATZ: He is been, no, he is been nice. He is been so nice. I respect it. Do you– does President Trump consider that Russia is profitable this warfare, do you suppose?
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Sure.
RADDATZ: Has he advised you that?
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): I feel he– he has publicly mentioned about it and I do know that he shared this info with some individuals round him and I feel this operation–and I mentioned it loads of times– it isn’t true. Not true, I imply it is, not about his wars, sure, simply to be comprehensible, sure. About the true scenario. It isn’t a victory while you spend, actually spend, a million individuals. Forgetting, some hundreds of kilometers. It isn’t a victory. It is initiative due to the individuals, quantity of individuals, quantity of weapon, and this initiative in your palms. However this isn’t a victory. And I mentioned it to President Trump you will note this isn’t a victory. After all, if all of you — United States and Europe — if you’ll shut, uh, help and we’ll exit or withdraw from all these conditions. Sure, they will win. However I simply wish to remind all people, even with out all of the companions, it was troublesome for them to occupy us on the very starting of the warfare. So it is, uh, unattainable for Putin, in such circumstances the place we’re, to win this warfare. If–If there will likely be unity on the earth and they are going to be on our facet, it is unattainable, so he can win provided that it is very, very lengthy warfare, so much of– a few years, a few years and with out sanctions. That is what he actually desires as a result of he’ll want cash for this warfare and he desires to be in Crimea till he’ll die. Sure, that is his purpose. That is why he desires to occupy us, to destroy us. His financial system relies upon precisely on oil, on the power sector, and we have to put sanctions as fast as potential. We misplaced loads of years.
RADDATZ: And when you…
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): To placed on power and worth caps on oil, $30 we’d like for them. $30, no more, and we misplaced three years. We gave them this cash. Sure, they offered huge quantity of power, huge quantity of power. You realize, China, India and different, and Brazil, and different nations. And with features again– the identical and with the banking system once more and with a protection sector, be sincere, sure, as a result of with out European and American and Taiwan and China and a few European companions with out the product of those corporations, with out the small print what they produce, Putin could not handle to supply so huge variety of missiles.
RADDATZ: If you don’t get extra U.S. assist, extra U.S. Navy assist specifically, can Russia win?
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Extra, extra, extra likelihood. Extra fast. However what we could have? We could have extra losses, way more losses with out assist of the USA, they may give us, they will present us, for instance, missiles for a Patriot or not, if they’ll cease. As we speak you have been, right here thanks once more, however you have been right here. And– however sure, we used Patriot techniques. Not sufficient. Not sufficient, however anyway, we used it. So if the USA would not give us or is not going to give us, I imply some missiles, what will likely be? Extra losses. Extra individuals will lose. By the way in which, , we had, we’ve got, as you noticed, huge issues with the Shaheds and so forth. We struggle in opposition to it and naturally we’ll do every thing, to– we’ll discover all of the devices sure, to destroy this, however we discovered one factor and we determined, uh, with a, I feel it was, yeah, together with your earlier administration, it was the Minister Austin, Minister of Protection Austin.
RADDATZ: Mhm.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Sure, and he and we determined for one mission, and we counted on this mission, 20,000 between us, 20,000 missiles, anti-Shahed missiles. It was not costly, nevertheless it’s particular expertise. So we counted on these 20,00 missiles. As we speak within the morning, my Minister of Protection advised me that United States moved it to the Center East.
RADDATZ: So the place does that depart you?
RADDATZ: Final query, let me ask you the final query. Final query.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): OK.
RADDATZ: Is– every thing you have mentioned in the present day doesn’t sound very optimistic, and but there are conferences deliberate for Monday. What do you anticipate from these conferences, and the way far-off do you suppose peace is at this level?
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): To be sincere, we’re very near the second after we could make Russia cease this warfare. A minimum of cease the combating. We’re very shut. We really feel like that. Our operation on their territory, it actually, the spider net operation, it made them mad. However it make them perceive many issues. They perceive that if we’ll lose extra help from, uh, from the U.S., we’ll develop our personal capabilities. We must rely on us, and the Russians perceive that if we’ll develop additional this explicit route of clandestine drone assaults, we’ll develop, and we– they perceive that we are going to proceed combating for us, for our freedom. We’re very shut. We simply want extra robust help from the US, and the US must be united with Europe and collectively they need to strain, put strain on Putin. He doesn’t wish to finish the warfare, however he can cease the warfare due to the robust strain and I feel there’s a likelihood. And it isn’t very pessimistic. It isn’t very pessimistic, I am speaking about actuality.
RADDATZ: Do you suppose President Trump desires these sanctions? He hasn’t actually been clear.
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): However he is the chief of the USA, so he has to do it, he should do it. I–I very hope– I hope very a lot and I consider that the USA are still– remains to be the chief of this civilized world.
RADDATZ: He mentioned, sorry, Sergei, one very last thing. President Trump mentioned he has his personal deadline in his mind about when he would possibly impose sanctions. And he additionally mentioned he would possibly impose them on each of you.
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): There was so, a lot in opposition to Ukraine from the Russians. We do not actually need something extra from the USA. We help the proposals that the USA are placing ahead about ceasefire, about finish of the warfare. About any format that may deliver all of us nearer, concerning the conferences on the extent of technical specialists or the leaders of the nations. We conform to every thing and we do every thing. So it’s–it’s–it’s not the precise steadiness between us and the Russians. The Russians don’t need something. Typically there isn’t any different.
ZELENSKYY (UKRAINIAN): It is simply the Russians who don’t wish to finish the warfare. It–it–it– would not matter– It would not matter who desires, aside from the USA, to use sanctions in opposition to Russia. If it isn’t the USA, there will likely be no actual influence. So it is actually essential the U.S. is making use of sanctions.
RADDATZ: Thanks a lot, Mr. President, we respect it.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Thanks very a lot. Thanks for coming. You are at all times welcome.
RADDATZ: Thanks.
ZELENSKYY (ENGLISH): Thanks
