Ukraine war

Selensky: “Then I will no longer be needed”

Volodymyr Selensky

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi sees all kinds of difficulties with the statements made by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other government representatives regarding a possible ceasefire with Russia.

"The problem is that the USA is saying things today that are very pleasant for Putin," Selenskyj said in an interview with ARD journalist Sandra Maischberger on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

He added: "I think that's the core of it. Because they want to please him. Do you know what for? To meet each other and have a quick success. But what they want - 'just a ceasefire' - that's not success."

In the "Maischberger" interview, Selenskyj was particularly critical of US Defense Secretary Hegseth, who had said, among other things, that a return of Ukraine to its 2014 borders was "unrealistic".

Abandonment of office possible
Selenskyj complained that these were "very general statements" by a "minister who is new in office" and added: "The defense minister should delve deeper into the details. I think he needs time for that."

Selenskyj also commented in principle on relinquishing his office. "If Ukraine is accepted into the EU and NATO tomorrow, if Russian troops withdraw and we have security guarantees, I will no longer be needed," said Selenskyj. "I think then I will have achieved everything. But as long as we don't have that, I will defend my country."