Zelensky rules out giving up any territory to Putin in peace deal

Russian pundit discusses possible ‘strike’ against London

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out giving up any of his country’s territory in a potential peace deal with Russia. In a BBC interview to mark a year since Russia’s full-scale invasion, he warned conceding land would mean Russia could “keep coming back”, while Western weapons would bring peace closer.

Mr Zelensky also said a predicted spring offensive had already begun.

“Russian attacks are already happening from several directions,” he said.

He does, however, believe Ukraine’s forces can keep resisting Russia’s advance until they are able to launch a counter-offensive – although he repeated his calls for more military aid from the West.

“Of course, modern weapons speed up peace. Weapons are the only language Russia understands,” Mr Zelensky told the BBC.

He met UK and EU leaders last week in a bid to bolster international support and to ask for modern arms to defend his country.

When Ukraine’s president asked for modern fighter jets, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “nothing is off the table”.

President Zelensky also addressed a threat by Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko to wage war alongside Russian troops from his territory if a single Ukrainian soldier crossed the border.

“I hope [Belarus] won’t join [the war],” he said. “If it does, we will fight and we will survive.” Allowing Russia to use Belarus as a staging post for an attack again would be a “huge mistake”, he added.

Mr Lukashenko threatened yesterday to join the Russian invasion of Ukraine if his country was attacked first. The leader, who is not recognised as the country’s legitimate president by the UK, EU or the US, also warned of the possibility of a nuclear conflict if the war should escalate.

He confirmed he would allow his country to be used again as a staging ground by Russian troops for future action against Ukraine.

Mr Lukashenko said: “I’m ready to provide [territory] again. I’m also ready to wage war, alongside the Russians, from the territory of Belarus.

“But only if someone – even a single soldier – enters our territory from there (Ukraine) with weapons to kill my people.”

Military co-operation between Russia and Belarus has been on the increase with the formation of a joint military groups training alongside one another.

So far the Belarusian leader has avoided sending his troops into Ukraine to fight alongside Russian forces.

When asked if he was surprised by Russia’s tactics in the war, Mr Zelensky described them as “valueless”.

“The way they destroyed everything. If their soldiers received [and carried out] those orders, that means they share those same values.”

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed that as prime minister he would support Ukraine as strongly as the current government after his first meeting with President Zelensky in Kyiv.

The Labour leader has been in Ukraine on a visit designed to emphasise the party’s support for the country against Russia.

As well as meeting Zelensky in Kyiv, Starmer visited Irpin and Bucha, both regions scarred by heavy warfare following Russia’s invasion last year.

Speaking before meeting the president, Starmer said: “Should there be an election next year and a change of government, the position on Ukraine will remain the same.”

He added: “It’s very important for me to be here in Ukraine with the people of Ukraine, making it clear that support for Ukraine in the United Kingdom is united.”

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