{"id":485503,"date":"2026-02-19T14:54:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/485503\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:54:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:54:08","slug":"zelensky-on-putin-donbas-and-the-price-of-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/485503\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelensky on Putin, Donbas and the Price of Peace"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelensky<\/a> says he is prepared to sit down with Russian leader Vladimir Putin<\/a> \u2013 but only to end the war, not to relitigate centuries of history.<\/p>\n

In an interview<\/a> with British journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan, he addressed assassination threats against both himself and Putin, laid out his red lines on Donbas, rejected any legal recognition of occupied territories and questioned the feasibility of elections during wartime.<\/p>\n

JOIN US ON TELEGRAM<\/p>\n

Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While leaving the door open to diplomacy, Zelensky made clear that any path to peace<\/a> must include security guarantees, defensive safeguards and Ukraine\u2019s direct participation in decisions about its future.<\/p>\n

On potential talks with Putin<\/p>\n

Zelensky said that in any potential talks with Putin, he would not waste time on historical narratives or debates about why Russia invaded Ukraine.<\/p>\n

He reiterated that he does not trust Putin: \u201cI can\u2019t trust the person who has killed so many people in Ukraine and who began a full-scale invasion against my nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I see now that only at the level of leaders can we really try to end this war. At the level of three leaders, we can really try to solve the territorial questions, which are very sensitive, painful, and difficult,\u201d Zelensky added.<\/p>\n

Zelensky said that in a potential meeting with Putin, he would avoid lengthy historical arguments, which Putin often raises.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Peace<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Other Topics of Interest<\/p>\n

Peace Talks in Geneva Made Little Progress | Stefan Korshak<\/a><\/p>\n

While President Zelensky\u2019s remarks suggested movement, Stefan Korshak explains that major disagreements over territory remain, and meaningful agreements are still far off.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have personal things against him. No emotions. No emotions. Just \u2014 I have an understanding of how to really try to finish this war\u2026 I\u2019m not sure that he will hear my arguments. And I don\u2019t need it, because I\u2019m not the aggressor,\u201d the president said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s not even interesting to me why he began this war\u2026 I don\u2019t need to waste time on historical issues, reasons why he began \u2013 all this, I think, is bullsh*t that he\u2019s raising with Americans, about Peter I and so on\u2026 I don\u2019t need all this historical sh*t, really,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

According to Zelensky, he would focus solely on concrete solutions to end the war and would not be sidetracked by other matters.<\/p>\n

On the assassination of Putin and attempts on his own life<\/p>\n

Asked by the host, \u201cIf you had an opportunity to kill Putin, would you authorize your forces to take that opportunity?\u201d Zelensky gave an indirect response, suggesting that eliminating Putin might not fundamentally change the situation, as it concerns a broader, entrenched system.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn their system, I\u2019m not sure that another person would not be Putin. The same as Putin,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Zelensky also spoke about numerous attempts on his own life<\/a>, most of which he said were thwarted by Ukrainian security services.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how many times they tried to kill me. The security service told me about some of these times. I understand that in my country, in this difficult period, it could have pushed Ukraine into chaos,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He further added that he is only one part of the many institutions that enable Ukraine to defend itself, hinting that his assassination would not break the country\u2019s defenses and that the reaction of Ukrainians to such an attack could have entirely different consequences.<\/p>\n

\u201cRussians don\u2019t really estimate the reaction of Ukrainians because we are, as I always said, emotionally different people\u2026 We can understand each other, we can speak with each other. We can fight, as you see, but for different values.\u201d<\/p>\n

About the talks in Geneva and the next round<\/p>\n

Zelensky said that the next round of peace talks will again take place in Switzerland.<\/p>\n

In his view, if the war is in Europe, then negotiations should also be held here, so that Europeans feel that this is aggression not only against Ukraine, but against Europe as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to underline that the next meeting will also be in Switzerland. That\u2019s the information I have today. Of course, our group will come back and I will have a more open briefing than the one I had by phone,\u201d Zelensky said.<\/p>\n

Zelensky added that following the peace talks in Geneva<\/a>, Ukraine and Russia made progress on issues related to the military track. However, on the political track, particularly regarding Donbas, all sides maintain different positions.<\/p>\n

According to Zelensky, on the military track the parties are closer to results and to drafting a document that will spell out all the details of \u201chow it is possible or necessary to carry out monitoring immediately after the ceasefire.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said that in 2025, during peace talks in Saudi Arabia, the US proposed a ceasefire along the demarcation line, with the territorial issue to be resolved exclusively through diplomatic means.<\/p>\n

Now, according to Zelensky, the parties \u201chave slightly moved away from that position,\u201d after the US suggested discussing a free economic zone.<\/p>\n

He stressed that Russia is currently offering Ukraine the option to withdraw from Donbas on its own, after which the war would supposedly end. However, Kyiv cannot do this and will not legally recognize the territories as Russian.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable how that can even be proposed. It\u2019s our territory, and of course the temporarily occupied territory is also our territory. That\u2019s why it\u2019s not just \u2018occupied\u2019 \u2013 it\u2019s temporarily occupied. We are not recognizing it judicially, and we are not recognizing it de facto in any papers\u2026 It\u2019s very painful for us, but let\u2019s stop where we stand. And this is already a big compromise,\u201d Zelensky said.<\/p>\n

On the importance of Donbas<\/p>\n

When asked whether he would allow any circumstances under which Ukraine would cede territory during his presidential term \u201cfrom a sovereignty point of view,\u201d Zelensky replied:<\/p>\n

\u201cJust give it by ourselves? I can\u2019t really support such an idea. And I think that in very difficult circumstances, I\u2019m not sure that our people will be ready, because as you said, dozens of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed defending this part of Ukraine,\u201d the president said.<\/p>\n

The Donbas is not only about territories \u2013 it\u2019s about people, values. It\u2019s part of Ukraine\u2019s independence and also about the strategy of how to defend the country, Zelensky added.<\/p>\n

In his view, strong security guarantees are needed \u2013 in particular from the US \u2013 as well as the presence of European representatives in Ukraine and maintaining the Ukrainian army at around 800,000 troops.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmerica as a strong country \u2013 and with all respect, we need their security guarantees. But even having all of these, nobody can give us the word that Putin will not come again,\u201d Zelensky said.<\/p>\n

He stressed that the Donbas is also important from the perspective of defensive lines.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the very important moments is defending lines. That\u2019s why when we speak about the security of the Donetsk region, I also think, as president, about defending lines which are very strong especially there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat will happen if our forces just go out without any kind of security, and if Russia begins aggression again? If they are already on this territory, how can we defend?\u201d Zelensky added.<\/p>\n

On elections in Ukraine<\/p>\n

Zelensky said that if there is at least a two-month truce, he is ready to hold presidential elections<\/a>, but he believes that Russia wants to replace him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that our partners have to answer one question \u2013 what do they want? Do they want real elections, or do they just want to change me? And I think that Russians just want to change me. And then they used something you said before \u2013 physical change or other steps. And there is a very, how to say, civilized way. Yes, a civilized way is elections,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Zelensky assured that he would never reject US proposals if they can bring peace to Ukraine. Therefore, if there is even a two-month truce, he is ready to speak with parliament and push for a decision that deputies currently do not support.<\/p>\n

The president noted that Ukrainian citizens also do not support holding elections during the war.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo if we can have two months of ceasefire for elections, I will do my best to speak with parliament and to push parliament in a direction which they don\u2019t support\u2026 I will do my best. I will speak with parliament. They will change the law. I hope so,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Zelensky added that during communication with Americans, Russians say that, in their view, elections in Ukraine could be held in a week or two. However, Moscow forgets that Ukraine is not Russia.<\/p>\n

According to him, there are different parties in the Verkhovna Rada, and even during wartime they hold different positions on many laws and issues. It is impossible to simply \u201cpressure\u201d and \u201cbreak\u201d parliament \u2013 there must be dialogue and real reasons explaining why elections should be held now.<\/p>\n

Summing up, Zelensky said: \u201cI said, okay guys, if you can stop Putin for some months for the elections \u2013 let\u2019s do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

About NATO<\/p>\n

Ukraine has done everything possible to join NATO, and now the final word lies with its partners, Zelensky said.<\/p>\n

He added that Ukraine has expressed its readiness to be a strong part of the alliance and to strengthen its allies. It cannot do anything more on its own, and \u201cthe ball is now in the court of Ukraine\u2019s partners, NATO countries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zelensky added that if Washington and Moscow discuss any decisions regarding Ukraine\u2019s status in NATO, this must be done only with Ukraine\u2019s participation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn practice, the US previous administration and this administration don\u2019t see us in NATO. Let\u2019s be honest. But it doesn\u2019t mean that in the future Ukraine will not be. But again, it\u2019s not up to us,\u201d Zelensky said.<\/p>\n

On the return of the Russian flag to the Paralympics<\/p>\n

The decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes<\/a> to compete again at the Paralympics under their national flags is dirty and disrespectful, Zelensky believes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to say that it\u2019s about money because I don\u2019t know. But it\u2019s a dirty decision, absolutely not respectable and not European. This is not Europe from the point of values,\u201d the president said.<\/p>\n

According to him, Ukraine will respond to such a decision by the International Paralympic Committee.<\/p>\n

He compared the current situation to what he called the \u201cRussian way of life,\u201d describing it as a \u201ccreeping occupation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey captured Crimea \u2013 no one responded, no one retaliated. Donbas \u2013 no one responded, no one imposed sanctions. A full-scale invasion. The same thing with the Olympic Games,\u201d Zelensky added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is prepared to sit down with Russian leader Vladimir Putin \u2013 but…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":485504,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,41,39,42,40],"class_list":{"0":"post-485503","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headlines","8":"tag-headlines","9":"tag-news","10":"tag-top-news","11":"tag-top-stories","12":"tag-topnews","13":"tag-topstories"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/485503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=485503"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/485503\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/485504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=485503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=485503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=485503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}