Zelensky: "We Are Not Afraid... We Will Not Give Up Anything"

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 22nd (local time), after Russia recognized the independence of pro-Russian separatist-controlled areas and ordered the entry of peacekeeping forces, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned the move and said he is awaiting "certain and effective" support from the United States and other Western countries.

According to AP News and others, President Zelensky said in an early morning speech that day, "Russia's actions are an infringement on Ukraine's integrity and sovereignty," adding, "No matter what Russia decides, Ukraine's borders will not change from what they are now."

President Zelensky condemned Russia's actions as a complete withdrawal from the Minsk agreements signed in 2015, saying, "This destroys peaceful efforts and the existing negotiation framework." He stated, "The Russian Federation has legalized the presence of its troops stationed in Donbas since 2014," and added, "We want peace and support political and diplomatic solutions."

Regarding the current situation, President Zelensky said, "We expect certain and effective measures from (Western) partners," and called for an emergency Normandy Four summit involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France. He then raised his voice, saying, "We fear no one and nothing," and "We owe nothing to anyone and will give nothing to anyone."

Earlier, on the previous day, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a speech on state TV, called Ukraine "a colony under a puppet regime installed by the United States" and recognized the independence of the self-proclaimed republics declared by pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region. Foreign media report that President Putin subsequently ordered the entry of peacekeeping forces into the area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.