Zelensky, "Putin's Nuclear Threats Are Just Bluster... The War Is Not Going Well"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent nuclear war threat as mere "bluster." At the same time, he pointed out that it is difficult to stop Russia's aggression with economic sanctions alone and once again appealed to Western countries to establish a no-fly zone.

On the 9th (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the German weekly magazine Die Zeit, "I think Putin's nuclear war threat is bluster," adding, "He only makes nuclear threats when something is going wrong. I believe Russia also understands how dangerous it is to attempt to use nuclear weapons."

He continued, "Becoming a murderer and committing suicide are different matters," and said, "The use of any nuclear weapon means the end not only for the user but for all aspects. Rather, the nuclear threat reveals Putin's weakness."

Addressing Western countries, he appealed once again for military actions such as establishing a no-fly zone, saying that economic sanctions alone cannot stop Russia's aggression. President Zelensky emphasized, "If Western sanctions were effective, the Russian military would have already stopped its offensive. To protect not only us but also Russia's neighboring countries in Eastern Europe, Western countries must establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine."

He added, "Putin is not stopping in Ukraine but is also threatening Moldova, the Baltic coastal countries, Poland, Georgia, and others," warning, "As long as Russia can attack other countries, the entire European continent will always be at risk."

However, he reiterated his position that peace talks with Russia are always open. President Zelensky proposed again, "Talks for a ceasefire are always ready, and above all, a compromise will be possible only by directly contacting and talking with Putin."

Meanwhile, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has continued for 14 days since it began on the 24th of last month. While the northern main fronts, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, are in a stalemate, Russian forces have been continuously conducting heavy bombings on major Black Sea port cities such as Mariupol and Odesa in the south. The Mariupol city authorities announced that at least 1,170 civilians have died due to the Russian invasion as of this day.

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