While addressing the nation on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered Russian soldiers a ‘chance to survive’ by surrendering as he predicted victory over the Russian President.
“The 19th day of our resistance is over. Historical war. Another difficult day, which is still approaching our victory. Approaching peace for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in the opening notes of his address according to his presidential office
He says, “the enemy is confused” and does not expect stiff resistance from Ukraine. The Russian soldiers and officers are aware of this, and they flee the battlefield while abandoning the equipment, said the Ukrainian President.
Zelenskyy later addressed the Russian soldiers, imploring them to surrender. “Russian conscripts! Listen to me very carefully,” Zelenskyy cautioned. “Russian officers! You’ve already understood everything. You will not take anything from Ukraine. You will take lives. There are a lot of you. But your life will also be taken. But why should you die? What for? I know that you want to survive.”
“Therefore, I offer you a choice,” the President stated. “On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I give you a chance. Chance to survive.”
While addressing the Russian troops, he told them that the Ukrainian would treat them the way people are supposed to be treated- decently. This treatment will be unlike how the soldiers are treated in the Russian army.
He lauded the Russian civilians who stand against the Russian invasion and continue to convey the truth despite Putin’s aggressive crackdown on journalists and protesters. He also mentioned the woman who interrupted the Russian state TV broadcaster called Channel One.
Zelenskyy implored the Russian civilians to keep fighting before the nation transforms into a very large North Korea and warned that the Russian military leaders would have to answer for the war crimes they committed.
Briefly addressing the peace talks with Russian negotiators, he said they appear to be “pretty good”.
“Our delegation also worked on this in negotiations with the Russian party. Pretty good, as I was told,” Zelenskyy said. “But let’s see. They will continue tomorrow.”
Published By : VATSAL KOTHA
Edited By : KRITIKA KASHYAP
