The minimum task for Ukraine is to free the territory captured by the Russians after February 24. At the same time, the maximum task is the de-occupation of the entire territory of Ukraine and the exit to the internationally recognized borders of 1991. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated this in an interview with the Russian BBC.
"Today, the minimum task is to get to the line that existed before the 24th. Why? This is the first stage, and it is very important, because the people who are now occupied by Russia simply cannot stand living in basements, living without pensions or wages, living without food, you understand? - he said.
Zelenskiy emphasized that it is necessary to go to the borders that existed before February 24, not because it is some kind of conditional line, but because it is difficult for the Ukrainian population to live under occupation.
At the same time, the president noted that neither the number of living nor the number of dead people in the occupied territories is known for sure. Ukraine also does not reliably know what percentage of residents need urgent help. It is also unknown how many people were tortured by the Russian occupiers and continue to do so.
"But our main plan, this finish, as you say, is, of course, our entire territory in accordance with international law, within the internationally recognized borders of 1991 - that is, including Donbas, currently occupied parts of our Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as Crimea All this is our territory. I believe that it is absolutely fair," Zelenskiy emphasized.
The president added that it is important to go to the borders of Ukraine, because if this is not done, Russia will always have the opportunity to completely occupy Ukraine again.
"Why is it so bad to have Donbas divided, as it was until the 24th? Yes, we planned, we said let's resolve this issue diplomatically. But a divided Donbas is the risk of a return to war, that's what I'm talking about. That's why I think it's it must be finished," he said.
Zelenskiy noted that the best end to the war is the return of Ukrainian power to the temporarily occupied territories and the presence of Ukrainian border guards at the borders in an internationally recognized sense.