Ukrainian President: "Putin Has Already Approved the Attack... Will Defend Ourselves"

Zelensky Releases Speech Video on SNS
"Wants Peace" Leaves Door Open for Diplomatic Resolution

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized on the 24th (local time) that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already approved an attack on Ukraine, and if attacked, Ukraine will take action to defend itself. He described the war as a "terrible misfortune" and expressed that there is still a willingness to engage in diplomatic talks.

According to CNN and other outlets, President Zelensky made these remarks around midnight through a speech video posted on his social network service (SNS). He stated that nearly 200,000 Russian troops have been deployed near the Ukrainian border, with thousands of combat vehicles.

Referring to himself as one of the Ukrainian citizens, President Zelensky said, "I speak to the Russian people. Your leadership has approved taking further steps to invade another country's territory," adding, "This could be the beginning of a large-scale war on the European continent. The trigger could be pulled at any moment." He also said, "Ukraine wants peace. We will do everything for it," calling the war a terrible misfortune and emphasizing that Ukraine is ready to engage in diplomatic talks with Russia and that Ukraine does not pose a threat to Russia.

President Zelensky stated, "We do not need another Cold War, a bloody war, or a hybrid war," but added, "If they militarily attack us and take away our freedom, lives, and the lives of our children, we will defend ourselves."

This speech came as Ukraine declared a state of emergency and issued a reserve mobilization order in response to Russian threats, effectively entering a quasi-war footing. The U.S. State Department has predicted that Russia could launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on this day but said it cannot specify the exact time or location of the attack.

Earlier, President Putin began escalating threats starting on the 21st by unilaterally recognizing the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) in the pro-Russian rebel regions of Donbas as independent states.

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