“Putin is a dragon to be eaten. To satisfy his hunger, you give him one country after another, or even pieces of them, ”he declares. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine and expresses confidence that if Russia wins this war, “it will do the same elsewhere.” He repeatedly emphasizes that supporting the struggle of Ukraine is in the interests of the Europeans themselves, while describing Kyiv’s relations with Berlin as “one up, one down.”

“Putin’s power is based on victories and conquests. You cannot stop him because he is a dragon to be eaten. To satisfy his appetite, you give him one country after another, or at least parts of them. But in the modern world, neither borders nor oceans will stop Russians. I am absolutely sure of this,” the Ukrainian president says, accusing the Russian side of escalating the conflict.

“They tortured, killed and buried people alive. I knew from books that there were such atrocities, massacres. But I could not imagine that such a thing would happen again in today’s world. If Putin wins this war, he will do the same elsewhere,” he emphasizes.

“Deliveries of heavy tanks only mean that we are all united against Russian aggression. And tomorrow it won’t be tanks, it will be planes or something else. Once the Russians reach your borders, you will have to sacrifice the lives of your people. Therefore, what Ukraine is doing today is more beneficial for your countries,” the Ukrainian president continues.

Volodymyr Zelensky also mentions that shortly before the start of the war, he had already asked the West for weapons and the introduction of preventive sanctions against Russia. “If everyone knew that Putin was going to invade our country, why didn’t they impose sanctions? It is absolutely ridiculous that you all publicly defend us, but want to avoid sanctions or carry weapons. I see dirty politics in this: you know that Russia historically loses this war, but you still refuse to help Ukraine just in case –one in a hundred– Russia is winning. Because then you can say to Putin: “Remember? Then I slowed down a bit!” And that’s exactly what I don’t like about politics: talking about values ​​and then belittling them with my actions,” he says.

Relations with Germany

As for his relationship with Germany, the Ukrainian president speaks of a situation that flows “in waves, one up, one down.” “In the beginning,” he explains, “it was very difficult, the temperaments are completely different. I am a naturally fast person. Others work more slowly, which may also be due to their bureaucracy. We don’t have time to waste. During the war, there are not 60 seconds in a minute. Every second represents a person’s life, his destiny. We don’t have weeks or months.”

But suddenly, he says, “this conservative attitude changed and I got support from the chancellor, I can confirm that. We have changed our attitudes and understanding. We now have Iris-T anti-aircraft systems, for which I am very grateful to Germany. They saved a lot of lives.”

The President of Ukraine also acknowledges that his country’s intelligence services are closely monitoring Germany and are well aware of its capabilities to supply weapons systems. “I said to the chancellor, ‘Olaf, listen, we are running out of missiles. I know that you have no others, we also have intelligence. I know that you give us everything you have.” And I don’t know how, but actually managed to make them faster. It was positive. Except now we’re having trouble again with this debate about German tanks, it’s emotional and complex. I have to press for help to Ukraine and constantly convince him that this help is not for us, but for the Europeans,” Mr. Zelensky said.

Lost in translation…

In an excerpt provided by Der Spiegel for advance publication, the translation from Ukrainian into German was: “I must force him” (referring to Olaf Scholz). However, after a backlash on social media, the magazine published a new version of the text, acknowledging that a “translation error” had been made.

Moreover, in an interview he gave at the same time to the French Figaro, Volodymyr Zelensky clearly praises the German Chancellor, and there is only a reference: “My job is to convince Western countries to help us. Because it’s not just about us. Europeans must understand that by helping us, they are helping themselves. I say this to all the heads of state who want us to end the war quickly because they are afraid that it will touch their territory.”

Asked if he is under pressure from abroad to sign a truce as soon as possible, even if it means giving up Crimea and other territorial concessions, the Ukrainian president expressed sympathy for anyone who fears war or danger approaching his door.

“Citizens and their leaders see a potential threat to the stability of their countries, including their political power. So they want to stop the war – and this is best done at the expense of others. The easiest way to end the war is to cede territory to Russia,” he emphasizes and explains that at the beginning of the war, many wanted to end the conflicts very quickly, but “within a few weeks, this opinion changed, thanks to our actions, from one, and thanks to the fact that what did Putin and his army do: Butsa, Mariupoli…” he says characteristically.

“The heads of state must understand: yes, the war must end. But you can’t fit into two boats anymore.”

Source: RES-IPE