Zelenskyy: We have broken the backbone of one of the strongest armies in the world

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO — SATURDAY, 21 MAY 2022, 11:44 AM

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers the lives of Ukrainian people, including soldiers, to be the most valuable, and reiterated his opinion that the return of the territories to the demarcation line as of 23 February 2022 would constitute victory.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with journalists on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of his inauguration

Quote: "I believe that no matter what appetite different sections of our population have, the most valuable thing is to save more people, soldiers.  These are brave people who are ready to give their lives. I believe that this is our great value and treasure  [people’s lives - ed.]. As the result of this invasion has shown.

So.. we shouldn’t be too greedy at this point, even though it's not entirely just. Because justice will be when we take everything back.

Today, to save [people’s lives - ed.], and this will be a matter of tens of thousands of people... No one just gives anything away, but there is land that they entered and occupied, and there are some areas where they have advanced very far in.

To reach the line that existed before the 24th (February - ed.) without unnecessary losses, I think... that would be a victory for our country.

Everything will be returned anyway. We have broken the backbone of one of the strongest armies in the world. We've already done that. Including psychologically. They won’t get back on their feet for the next few years. But let's not forget that all our soldiers also want to live."

Details: The president urged everyone to understand the cost of every step in the war. According to him, after reaching the demarcation line that existed before the full-scale invasion, it will be possible to move on to the second part – further negotiations with Russia.