Key points from Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s interview with CBS
Key statements by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with CBS:
▫️ The inability to transport and sell oil is a major blow to the russian budget — more than $100 billion a year, and this year the figure will be even higher, at around $150 billion.
▫️ Ukraine never strikes first; it responds where it can.
▫️ During the meeting with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Ukraine confirmed its readiness for an energy ceasefire, which should mean a complete halt to attacks on energy infrastructure by both sides, using any type of weapon.
▫️ For russia, energy means selling oil and gas, while for Ukraine, it means electricity and gas supplies for civilians.
▫️ There should be no blockade of agricultural exports, as this is a matter of global food security, and restoring trade is in the interests of both countries.
▫️ If a side declares that it will refrain from attacking certain targets, it should provide a specific list of those targets.
▫️ Even during a war, opportunities for de-escalation can be found. If a side engages in negotiations, it means it is demonstrating a willingness — or political will — to end the war.
▫️ By the end of this year, the russian army will suffer another 300,000 deaths, bringing the total number of russians killed over five years of war close to one million.
▫️ putin continues the war because there is not enough pressure from russian society, but this internal pressure is already beginning to grow.
▫️ The main reason the kremlin leader refuses to stop the war is fear for his own life.
▫️ Ukraine is ready to hold elections as soon as tomorrow, but this is impossible during wartime under the Constitution, electoral legislation, and, above all, due to the security situation.
▫️ During wartime, the main goal is peace, while politics takes a back seat.
