Zelenskyy says ceasefire with Russia without recapturing lost territories 'will widen war'

On 150th day of brutal Russian war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Kyiv "will t" cease counter-attack until it has regained all of its occupied territories. Speaking in an interview with Wall Street Journal (WSJ), embattled President explained that entering a ceasefire with Moscow with Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation would only "prolong war." He warned allowing Russia to keep seized lands "will encour" a deeper and expanded conflict, instead of completely stopping it.

"Freezing conflict temporarily with Russian Federation will only give m a break for rest," Zelenskyy told publication.

"y will t use this paise to change ir geopolitics or to reunce ir claims in former Soviet Republics," he said, adding that it will buy m time to replenish ir armament supplies.

Talking about ecomic losses Ukraine is facing since beginning of invasion on February 24, Zelenskyy outlined that massive infrastructural dams have poked a major hole in country's ecomy. He added ecomic pain from conflict has had a ripple effect beyond Ukrainian borders, putting millions of people on edge of a food crisis. Furr, he ted skyrocketing energy prices coupled with suspension of Russian gas to Europe has also worried civilians about surviving through coming winter.

Zelenskyy says 'won't succumb to Russian blackmails'

Zelenskyy admitted that cost of war has inflicted on Western businesses and expressed gratitude to Western allies for refusing to bow down to Russian threats. "It is a matter of values," he said, adding that civilians are suffering because of "crises manufactured by Russians." He hailed "strong Ukrainians" who also believe that occupied territories must be liberated before negotiating with Russia.

Zelenskyy hails food grain export deal

Ukrainian President on Friday hailed UN-brokered agricultural export deal signed with Russia. agreement inked in Istanbul, in presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN chief Antonio Guterres "will allow Ukrainian ports to restore grain exports," Zelenskyy said. Marking agreement as a major breakthrough, he ted: "From first day of full-scale invasion, Russia did everything to t just close Ukraine's access to sea, but to destroy very potential of our exports – port infrastructure, our railways, warehouses, and silos. We did t allow it."

(Im: @president.gov.ua)