Milan, 9 Sept. (LaPresse) – “Fedorov? I haven’t seen him for some time and it’s been a while since he’s been in touch around here.” This was stated by the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking about his former Defence Minister in an interview with the newspaper La Stampa and other international media outlets during a telephone conference call. Zelensky stated that Europe “must play a role in the negotiations because we are talking about the security of Ukraine and the entire West” and added that there are some valid and interesting ideas on the table for negotiating an end to the conflict, pointing out that “until then, US arms packages for missile defence will be vital”. “We are ready to compromise, but both sides must make concessions. It cannot always be Ukraine that gives in: we have already made many compromises,” said Zelensky, who thanked Washington regarding the recent visit to Kyiv by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. “First of all, I would like to thank the American side for helping to break the deadlock in the negotiations between the Ukrainians and the Russians. We had a difficult night, with many injured and killed: I offer my condolences to the families. We discussed our needs, particularly the winter aid package and the one for defence against ballistic missiles. Our air force performed very well; several ballistic missiles and more than three dozen cruise missiles were shot down. In total there were around 180 targets and 90 per cent were shot down; only one cruise missile got through. It is a good result, but it is not enough. We need missiles,” he said.
Zelensky: “Haven’t heard from Fedorov in ages; we’re ready to compromise but we need air defences”
Milan, 9 Sept. (LaPresse) – “Fedorov? I haven’t seen him for some time and it’s been a while since he’s been in touch around here.” This was stated by the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking about his former Defence Minister in an interview with the newspaper La Stampa and other international media outlets during a telephone conference call. Zelensky stated that Europe “must play a role in the negotiations because we are talking about the security of Ukraine and the entire West” and added that there are some valid and interesting ideas on the table for negotiating an end to the conflict, pointing out that “until then, US arms packages for missile defence will be vital”. “We are ready to compromise, but both sides must make concessions. It cannot always be Ukraine that gives in: we have already made many compromises,” said Zelensky, who thanked Washington regarding the recent visit to Kyiv by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. “First of all, I would like to thank the American side for helping to break the deadlock in the negotiations between the Ukrainians and the Russians. We had a difficult night, with many injured and killed: I offer my condolences to the families. We discussed our needs, particularly the winter aid package and the one for defence against ballistic missiles. Our air force performed very well; several ballistic missiles and more than three dozen cruise missiles were shot down. In total there were around 180 targets and 90 per cent were shot down; only one cruise missile got through. It is a good result, but it is not enough. We need missiles,” he said.