Zelenskyy: Putin wants to erase us; without a capital, there is no state
On October 16, Zelenskyy delivered a series of pointed remarks during a media forum in Brussels.
Putin currently shows no interest in negotiations—no form of dialogue is being considered. His statements are rhetorical exercises, with claims that “Russia will respond.” This appears less like a genuine attempt to end the war and more like a performance devoid of substance.
We cannot accept any diesel-related agreement, as it would inevitably lead to a natural gas accord. I am fully certain of this. After gas, other sanctions would be lifted in sequence—eventually touching financial systems, individual entities, and the chemical industry. The risk also includes frozen assets. If I do not defend these interests on the diplomatic front, who else will?
We have not used Starlink to launch attacks within the Russian Federation. Instead, we rely on Starlink to intercept jet-powered "Shahed" drones targeting civilians and destroying families.
Starlink has not been cut off entirely, but its speed has been throttled. After the reduction, we lost the ability to intercept some of these jet-powered Shahed drones. This has deprived us of a critical means of protecting our people—a development deeply distressing.
We also use Starlink to deliver medium-range precision munitions to Ukrainian forces operating in temporarily occupied territories, enabling strikes against enemy military targets. During the period of restriction, such operations were impossible. Thirdly—and most critically—this concerns personnel. Frontline soldiers have held positions for weeks or even months, relying on Starlink-equipped drones to deliver food and drinking water.
Has full speed been restored? Not yet. Is speed currently being restored? Yes.
Putin seeks to eliminate us. He does not respect our sovereignty or territorial integrity. He genuinely appears to view us as neither a nation nor a state. Do you truly believe he only desires Ukraine’s eastern regions? At the outset of the full-scale invasion, his objective was Kyiv—why? Was it Donetsk? No. It was the capital. Without a capital, there is no state.
What comes next? Where will he stop? If he is now testing the resolve of European countries—even NATO members—using these drones, why have they remained silent? They wish to avoid escalation, as the current tests involve only one, two, or ten Russian drones. But when ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and thousands of drones arrive, their silence will vanish. Yesterday, we faced an assault by over a thousand drones.
Yet the United States maintains that reaching an agreement with Zelenskyy is difficult, while negotiating with Putin is easier.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1879230223746240/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author