Zelensky offers Russia "diplomatic option" to end war

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready to end Russia's war against Ukraine through diplomatic means, but only if Russia agrees to withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Ukraine, without waiting for Ukraine to do so by force.

The president said this during his interview with Latin American media.

Zelensky stressed that Russia should start withdrawing its troops now, without waiting for its troops to be pushed out by Ukraine with heavy human losses.

"I think the difference is significant. It seems that the result will be the same, but it is not. We are de-occupying our territories. If we talk about the way this is happening, the loss of people or their reduction is an important issue for me. And this affects the readiness for further dialogue," Zelensky said.

The president emphasized that the de-occupation of Ukrainian lands depends on the Kremlin's decision.

"Our partners see this. Even those countries that were skeptical, for example, Germany, Chancellor Scholz, is already speaking frankly: "There is no point in talking to Russia until it withdraws from Ukrainian territories". I think there is logic in this. If you want to talk to me and to the civilized world, it makes no sense to wait until you are forced out. And this will definitely happen. We are losing people using force and the army. It is not a matter of time. We do not get tired of fighting for victory. But if we push them out by force, what will we be able to talk to them about when they leave our territory? What will be the meaning of the conversation?" Zelenskyy wonders.

Zelenskyy also believes that Russia will be forced to look for other leaders who could find ways to interact with the civilized world, since no one wants to enter into a dialogue with Russia after its actions.

"If we push them out by force, it will be a big difference", the head of state said.

Zelensky expressed confidence that the next leadership of the Russian Federation will look for a way out of the situation, and Russian society is already beginning to realize that an "internal explosion" is only a matter of time.

The President also called the statements of the Russian leadership that if Russia loses this war, it will no longer exist a "distortion of facts and concepts" &blockquote>

"If we fight to the end and push them out by force, they will definitely not exist in the form they are now. They will suffer an internal explosion, losing their state, respect, place at the diplomatic table and army. They will lose everything. They will have internal revolutions, and more than one, because they are a large territory with different peoples. There will be a lot of things," Zelensky said.

The president added that there is no easy way out of the situation for the current Russian leadership, because "they are murderers".