At a press conference in Brussels, where he took part in part of the European Council meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it is important for the European Union to have a significant military arsenal and for Russia to be aware of this, BTA reports.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine could produce three times more weapons, but is experiencing a shortage of funds. He proposed finding a mechanism through which Russian assets confiscated under sanctions in the EU could be used for Ukraine's benefit. "The Russians have to pay for the war - they are afraid of this and of the possible EU decision on the frozen assets," the president said, adding that today we may be closer to making such a decision.
Zelensky pointed out that Ukrainian forces are already using long-range weapons and the question is where the additional funds to increase production will come from. "We have never used long-range weapons from the United States to hit targets in Russia. We use other weapons with such a range in areas of intense fighting. Eastern Ukraine and Crimea are Ukrainian. We are using these weapons in Crimea not against Russia, but on temporarily occupied territories," he explained.
Regarding his last meeting in Washington with President Donald Trump, Zelensky said that sanctions were imposed after that; he added that no meeting in Hungary was held without Ukrainian participation and that Kiev did not receive Tomahawk missiles. "I think this is not a bad result," he summed up, adding that he still hopes that the possibility of receiving the "Tomahawk" will be realized.
When asked about a possible peace plan, Zelensky said that he did not know of such a plan and did not want a document "written in Russia". According to him, the first step should be a ceasefire, followed by negotiations if Russia wishes. "The first point is to have talks, instead of using any weapons. More pressure on Russia will make them sit down at the negotiating table - I think that is the plan," he said.
As for the exchange of territories, Zelensky stressed that this is not possible, because it concerns Ukrainian lands. "This is like exchanging something for nothing. We would not recognize an exchange with our territory - this is unacceptable," the president added.