PRESS RELEASE : President at the Bled Strategic Forum – I do not have the exact dates of the deoccupation of Ukrainian territories, but I have the exact understanding of how we will do it

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 29 August 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that today it is difficult to predict the possible dates of the expulsion of the Russian invaders from Ukraine, but the stronger Europe unites around Ukraine, the sooner the victory over the aggressor will take place. The Head of State said this during a conversation with the participants of the Strategic Forum, which is ongoing in the city of Bled (Slovenia).

“The Ukrainian people have every right to fight for their territory and land within internationally recognized borders. I believe this is a great willingness, but for us it is a great and the only fair struggle,” he said, answering questions from forum participants.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the return of the occupied territories can take place in different ways, and Ukrainians are aware of this.

“I’m not ready to predict when it will happen. I don’t have the exact dates, but I have the exact understanding of how we will do it,” the President noted.

The Head of State emphasized that now Russia is not really determined to hold negotiations on ending the war, as it communicates only in terms of ultimatums, demanding from Ukraine recognition of the occupation of our territories.

“Both sides must strive for negotiations. All this is another public lie of the Russian authorities. They are not ready for negotiations, they do not want that. In their understanding, negotiations are an ultimatum, we must recognize that Donbas and Crimea are Russian territories. They are already saying that Ukraine must recognize the south of our state as Russian territory after they hold another pseudo-referendum there,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President emphasizes that Russia will be ready for negotiations only after it feels the power of the world uniting in support of Ukraine.

“They (representatives of Russia – ed.) will definitely offer it to us as soon as they see a force in the world that supports Ukraine. We have already seen it in Ukraine. Now the united Europe also sees it, as it is rallying around Ukraine. So, the stronger we are and the longer we can stay together, the sooner justice will prevail,” the Head of State said.