Zelensky threatens to attack the Kremlin if the war continues.
The Ukrainian president says that Russian targets could be hit if the war continues and that he will leave office after the war ends.
247 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow could face direct attacks against centers of power, including the Kremlin, if Russia does not end the war that began in February 2022.
According to the agency HANDLE, published this Thursday (25), Zelensky stated in an interview with the Axios website that Kremlin leaders “need to know where the nearest air raid shelter is”, in case the conflict continues.
Request for weapons from Donald Trump
During the interview, Zelensky revealed that he had requested a new weapons system from US President Donald Trump, which he considered crucial to forcing Vladimir Putin to negotiate.
According to him, Trump explicitly expressed support for Ukraine to retaliate against Russia on strategic targets, such as energy infrastructure and weapons factories.
Retaliation against Moscow
The Ukrainian leader stressed that Kyiv is prepared to respond proportionally to every Russian attack. "They need to know that we in Ukraine will respond every day. If they attack our energy, Trump says we can respond with energy," Zelensky stated.
He further indicated that drone factories and missile facilities could also be targets, although he acknowledged that these locations are heavily protected.
Limits on attacks and potential targets in the Kremlin.
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine will not attack civilians. "Ukraine is not a terrorist state," he stressed. Still, he hinted that centers of power in Moscow, such as the Kremlin, could be included in future attacks should the war persist.
Uncertain political future
Zelensky also commented on his remaining in office after the end of the war. He said he is willing not to run for new elections if a ceasefire is agreed upon.
"If we end the war with the Russians, yes, I'm ready not to go [to the elections], because that's not my goal," he declared.
The president was elected in 2019 with a landslide majority. His five-year term was due to end in May 2024, but elections were suspended due to martial law imposed after the large-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. This suspension has led Moscow to question his legitimacy as leader.
