Zelensky Holds Briefing for Foreign Media: Misunderstandings with Biden, Ukraine's Economy and Diplomat Evacuation

According to Zelensky, the escalation began long ago, eight years ago.

President Volodymyr Zelensky held a briefing for foreign media, where he said he understands Ukraine's problems more deeply than US President Joe Biden because he lives in Ukraine. 

On Biden

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

This is not our first conversation and meeting. Nor is it our first conversation with President Biden by phone. I want to thank him for knowing many details about what is happening in our country. We share plans and some points. We are grateful to the US for its constant support of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. But I am the president of Ukraine and I am here, and I know, I think, the details more deeply than any other president. The question is not about the US president. We understand the risks and which of them are priorities. I wanted to explain the situation, and it is important that the US president knows the situation from me, and we are in contact and may talk again in a few weeks. It is very important that not only our intelligence services exchange information. One must be here and understand all the details. 

According to him, he has no misunderstandings with Biden. Zelensky then added that the president of an independent state may have its own secrets. 

“What do we know that President Biden does not know? I think that as the president of an independent country, I can have my own secrets, just as the president of the United States does,” said the president of Ukraine. 

On media panic

Zelensky assured that he always invites foreign journalists and diplomats to Donbas so that they can see with their own eyes and understand that there is no aggravation of the conflict or increase in escalation. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

We do not see greater escalation than before. The number of military personnel has increased, and I spoke about this back in early 2021, when there was talk of Russian military exercises. Now I do not think the situation is more tense than it was at the peak of the exercises, but there was no such information policy in the space back then. I believe, and we discussed this with the US president, that this policy should be balanced. 

According to him, global media have created such tension that it gives the impression that tanks are driving around Kyiv and that large-scale mobilization is underway in the country, but this is not the case. 

Zelensky said he has held several conversations with foreign leaders and had to calm them down. He said he has to refute the confident claims of foreigners that war in Ukraine “will start tomorrow.” 

The Ukrainian president explained to Biden that Ukraine now needs to stabilize its economy because of the impact of global panic. Such panic is costly: with the start of the relevant rhetoric in the media, 12.5 billion was withdrawn from the country, so the hryvnia had to be stabilized using state reserves. 

According to Zelensky, the escalation began long ago, eight years ago, and part of Ukraine is occupied. He recalled that last year a withdrawal of Russian troops after exercises was shown without an actual withdrawal, for show, so there is no need to spread panic now. 

On intimidation by Russia

The president noted that satellite information shows an increase in troops, but it is hard to understand: “Is this a troop buildup, intimidation, an attack or a troop rotation?” 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

There are different kinds of intercepted information. We understand when a DRG (sabotage and reconnaissance group, ed.) is operating and how a DRG works. They operate both in Donbas, in territory we control, and in many regions of our state. I do not want there to be excessive panic right now, but we are dealing with such issues with internal forces, and partners are helping us. Our professional people assess this situation more deeply. Sometimes we see people changing clothes. Sometimes we see people come and set up tents to show that several brigades have arrived at the border, and then we see that there is no life in these tents, the people were quietly taken away. So there is a psychological narrative from Russia and from the separatists, psychological intimidation.

According to him, this often happens before meetings, such as the Normandy format or the Minsk meetings. Psychological pressure is increased and the stakes rise. 

On the evacuation of diplomats

Zelensky criticized the decision of some countries to evacuate diplomats from Ukraine, as this is a very negative signal for everyone. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

Yes, I think it was a mistake. I say so openly. I have no right to say it was a mistake of the governments of respected states. I think it is a mistake for us, for Ukraine. First, the signals we received from diplomats that these were not first-level workers (those who were evacuated, ed.). I do not think so. In such a situation, everyone is first-level. Everyone should be in place. 

According to him, in frontline Mariupol there are diplomats from Greece, and they have not been recalled despite their proximity to the line of separation. 

“The Greeks did not take anyone out. I am not comparing states. I want to say that this (evacuation of diplomats, ed.) is such an important signal. Everyone is watching this, everyone understands which EU countries, how Britain and the United States are reacting. I believe that embassy staff and diplomats should be here. They are the captains of diplomacy. Representatives of their states, and we know that captains leave the ship last. And I believe we are not the ‘Titanic.’ Ukraine is moving forward,” Zelensky said. 

On the suspicion against Poroshenko

The president joked about serving a suspicion notice to former president Petro Poroshenko in the case of coal trade with Russian militants in Donbas. 

A Sky News journalist asked: “Some people suspect that you are downplaying the threat in order to protect your economy, and that the Americans are right that war may break out. Do you agree with this assessment or not?”.

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

Thank you for the question! It is very strange that I am suspected… I think I have never done anything in my life to be suspected. You are confusing me with another president of Ukraine. I believe that for me, people come first, and then the economy. For me, the question of escalation is just as important, and no less important, than for the United States and other partner countries. I do not govern the state the way, by the way, in your film, which in English is called “Don't Look Up.” We look up! We understand exactly what is happening, and we talk about it with our people. But we have been in this situation for eight years, and for us it is important to look not only up but also down, at our feet. 

On Russian authorities

Zelensky confirmed that he is ready to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin, but Putin and his entourage offer formats that will not bring results, and Russia is not yet taking steps toward de-escalation. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

If Russia is now communicating that it supports the Minsk talks and that it does not plan to attack Ukraine, then it can certainly show steps that confirm these words. Why then such a number of troops (near the borders with Ukraine, ed.)? Why hold exercises so often? What exercises? They can do everything, they say they have a powerful army. Why hold exercises here now, why at these borders? You understand that these are risks, that everyone is reacting. We have been dealing with this for many years. There may be some provocation. A large buildup of troops means big risks. Even if you do not intend to, it can happen. Why do you do this? To scare? What kind of masochism is this? What is the pleasure in someone being afraid?

He recalled that 40 million people live in Ukraine, a great nation, and that a new generation will grow up that will not forget and will not forgive. 

The president added: “Let’s sit down and talk about specific things.” He gave the example of the Russian foreign minister inviting him to a meeting but demanding that the Donbas issue not be discussed. 

“Why invite someone in such a format? You are a man, an adult. Supposedly with a lot of experience. Nothing better to do? Pure cynicism, high level, that’s all. And I want to meet, I am not afraid of any format, I am ready. But why invite me to Sochi? So I can go skiing? We are talking about serious things. Well, okay, let’s meet in Odesa and go swimming in the sea. People do not understand the value of life. I am talking about serious dialogue. About the fact that we have many challenges and many questions. Let’s not do everything. Let’s do one thing. For example, an exchange. Do you take pleasure in people sitting in prisons? Life is passing. We need to reach an agreement,” Zelensky said.