Ukraine will seek a quick end to the war with Russia and the return of part of its territory from Moscow through diplomatic channels after Kyiv's membership in NATO becomes certain, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Japanese news agency agency Kyodo, writes BTA
He also reported that there have already been North Korean soldiers killed from units stationed in western Russia to fight on Moscow's side, and it is almost certain that they will eventually be used as “cannon fodder” on the front line of the conflict.
Amidst Russia's rapid progress in eastern Ukraine, Zelensky indicated that support for his country from its partners is “not enough” and called on NATO to invite Kiev to start membership negotiations as soon as possible.
Answering all questions in Ukrainian, he acknowledged that it would be difficult for Kiev to take back some of the Russian-occupied territories by force, including the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
„Our army lacks the strength to do this. "It's true," Zelensky said and added: "We need to find a diplomatic solution."
But he pointed out that such steps should be considered only “when we know we are strong enough” so that Russia cannot show new aggression against Ukraine.
Zelensky, who continues to view NATO membership as a necessity for Ukraine's security and well-being, stressed that the war is “entering a difficult period”.
He appreciated the help that Japan, the US, South Korea and a number of European and other countries are providing to Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on Russia, but stressed that more support is needed to strengthen Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president did not specify how many North Korean soldiers were killed in the fighting, but said there was evidence that about 12,000 North Koreans were stationed in the Kursk region.
More important in the long run, he said, could be the fact that North Korean soldiers will be trained by the Russian military in real-world military settings as they seek to acquire knowledge of modern warfare, such as how to use drones and other state-of-the-art technology.
Zelensky warned that this could have a huge impact on Asia and elsewhere if they bring similar knowledge to North Korea.
The interview was given at a time when the war in Ukraine has reached a critical point, and questions have arisen about whether US support for Ukraine will continue after the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, Kyodo noted.
Trump has repeatedly said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine would never have happened if he were president, and on the campaign trail said that if elected he could stop the war for a day, without elaborating how.
Zelensky reported that Trump and his team are aware of Ukraine's position and its “victory plan”, which aims to put it in a “strong position” in future diplomatic negotiations.
„They are studying the plan and we will hear from them. But there will be no capitulation on the part of Ukraine, he said. “This is a fact and I think he (Trump) understands it”, added Zelensky.