Zelensky says giving up Ukrainian territory to Russia is 'out of discussion'

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said in an interview with the American channel Fox News that Ukraine will not make concessions of its territorial integrity to Russia.

"We do not trade our territory. The question of territorial integrity and sovereignty is out of discussion," Zelensky responded.

The president reiterated his belief that Ukraine would be a beneficial addition to NATO.

"It’s hard for us to talk about NATO because NATO doesn't want to admit us. I think it's a mistake because if we join NATO, we make NATO much stronger. We are not a weak state. We are not proposing to make us stronger at the expense of NATO…We are an addition, we are the locomotive. I think we are one of the important components of the European continent," the president said.

Zelensky also asked the U.S. to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons.

"Just give us missiles, give us airplanes, you cannot give us F–18 or F-19 or whatever you have, give us old Soviet planes. That’s all. Give them into my hands. Give me something to defend my county with," he said.

Zelensky answered a question about the fire at the oil depot in Belgorod.

"I’m sorry I do not discuss any of my orders as commander in chief. (…) The leader of this state. There are things which I only share with military armed forces of Ukraine and when they talk with me, " Zelensky said.

He stressed that "it matters for us is that you and the whole world should know that we are a country at war."

"We were attacked. That is what matters. That is the biggest tragedy. And today, to hear those reports about something happening someplace something exploded while there is war in Ukraine - honestly it’s not professional to talk about it. They occupied our territory. They attacked us. This war going on for eight years so whatever happens in a certain situation it’s hard for me to comment," Zelensky said.