Zelenskyy announces delegation's report after first round of Geneva talks
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the delegation's report after the first round of talks in Geneva, noting that even on the day of the start of the next format of talks, Russia is responding with a massive strike with drones and missiles on Ukraine.
"The delegation's report will be today – after the first round of talks in Geneva. The guys should definitely ask questions about these strikes – questions primarily to the American side, which suggested both us and Russia to refrain from strikes," he said in a video address on Tuesday evening.
Zelenskyy said the Russians began the day of the talks with a massive strike on Ukraine. "There were 29 missiles of various types, and 25 were shot down. (…) Even the day of the start of the next formats in Geneva – trilateral, bilateral, with America – Russia meets with a strike. This very clearly demonstrates what Russia wants and what they are up to. There were almost 400 drones," Zelenskyy said.
The president said Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes. "Ukraine is ready. We do not need war. And we always act in a mirror image: we defend our state, our independence. We are also ready to quickly move towards a worthy agreement to end the war," he said.
"The question is only for the Russians: what do they want. And also whether there will be consequences for Russia for the fact that Shahed missiles and fantasy chatter on historical topics are more important to them than real diplomacy and lasting peace," Zelenskyy said.
In addition, the head of the Ukrainian state drew attention to the fact that all Russian missiles and drones "that were used today contain thousands of components that Russia does not produce itself."
According to him, five Iskander-Ms are at least 75 critical components of non-Russian production. Three Kh-101 missiles are almost 160 components that Russia cannot replace itself. "Each Shahed is hundreds of such components that are imported to Russia from other countries, and not only from Chinese companies, by the way. Also Europe, America, Japan."
Zelenskyy stressed the importance not only for Ukraine, but also for global security in general, for partners to actually block supply chains to Russia of critical components for weapons production.
"And also so that the companies themselves better monitor where their components end up. Russia can do nothing without such connections with the world: they are not able to be strong in complete isolation. That is why blockade and pressure can really encourage the aggressor to change policy. But it depends on the determination of the world," Zelenskyy said.
