Zelensky: “Ukraine neutrality is being thoroughly investigated” | Abroad

Neutral status would have to be guaranteed by third parties and first submitted to the Ukrainian people in a referendum, Zelensky said. In this context, neutrality means Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO membership now and in the future. Zelensky said Ukraine’s “neutrality is being thoroughly investigated”. It is one of the focal points in the negotiations with Russia to end the conflict.

“Security guarantees and neutrality, non-nuclear status of our state. We are ready to go for it. This is the most important point,” Zelensky said. “But I don’t want it to be another scrap of paper like the Budapest accord,” he added, referring to agreements signed by Russia in 1994 to guarantee the integrity and security of three former Soviet republics, including Ukraine, in exchange for giving up the nuclear weapons inherited from the USSR.

Zelensky declined to discuss other Russian demands, such as the demilitarization of Ukraine. He did indicate that an agreement with Russia is only possible if Russian troops withdraw. He rejected the suggestion to allow foreign peacekeepers into Ukraine, because he does not want a “frozen conflict” in his country.

In order to reach an agreement, Russian President Vladimir Putin must be willing to go out and meet Zelensky, the Ukrainian president said. He accused Putin and his entourage of making things drag on. He himself thinks that “the war can be ended quickly”.

Zelensky’s conversation with Russian journalists from opposition broadcaster Dojd, from the independent website Meduza – whose sites are blocked in Russia – and from the daily newspaper Kommersant lasted 90 minutes. He spoke Russian and said, among other things, that the Russian invasion has caused the destruction of Russian-speaking cities in Ukraine, and that the damage is already greater than after the Russian war in Chechnya. He also said he was prepared to exchange prisoners of war before the end of the conflict. He called Russia’s accusation that Ukraine has chemical and nuclear weapons “laughable”.

Prior to the interview, Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor warned participating Russian journalists not to cover the interview with Zelensky. The watchdog, founded in 2008 by former president Dmitry Medvedev, also said an investigation had been launched into the media organizations that took part in the interview.

Also in the interview, Zelensky said that the well-known oligarch Roman Abramovich, who is said to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and who is subject to EU sanctions, has offered money to Kiev. “We got signals from him and some other businessmen who offered, ‘We can help somehow, we can do something,’” Zelensky said.

“Some have said they were willing to help rebuild the country after the war,” the Ukrainian president said. “’We want to move our company to Ukraine, we live in England or somewhere in Switzerland. But how do we get rid of that sanctions list?’ There are those who don’t want to give their names and say that, as Russians, they want to help our army.”

Zelensky further assured that no matter who businessmen are willing to give money to support the Ukrainian military, Ukraine is willing to “guarantee their security, provide them with jobs and give their companies the opportunity to develop.” The president said he wanted to start a conversation about a “change of nationality” of these people.

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Zelensky had pleaded with US President Joe Biden not to sanction Abramovich because he could play a role in the peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.