14 hours without a break: what Zelensky said during a record press conference

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky spoke with representatives of the media in the format of a press marathon - journalists asked him questions in small groups, sitting at the same table. Edition with the BBC told the main thing that the Ukrainian leader was talking about.

Photo: Facebook / Vladimir Zelensky

This meeting broke the world record for the duration of presidents 'press conferences - 14 hours Zelensky answered journalists' questions. The press marathon was held at the Kyiv Food Market food court. More than 300 journalists were accredited to it, press secretary Yulia Mendel Zelensky said before the event.

Donbass

First of all, Zelensky was asked about Donbass. A journalist from Donbass News asked him how he would reassure the residents of Donetsk and Lugansk.

“People who live in those territories and feel like Ukrainians should know that we will not abandon them, we will not leave them, we will return them along with the territories. This is our plan A,” Zelensky replied.

He added that “plan B is that if the return of these territories is delayed, then we must provide them with the opportunity to be here on territory controlled by Kiev.”

On the subject: “Well, you understand”: at a meeting with Zelensky, Lukashenko called Ukraine Russia. VIDEO

When asked who exactly Zelensky considers to be parties to the conflict in Donbass, he answered: “Ukraine and Russia.” In his opinion, it is with Moscow that negotiations need to be held to resolve this conflict.

“I would really not like the conflict in Donbass to be frozen so that we have Transnistria or Abkhazia. I cannot guarantee you 100% that this will not happen. Because, to be honest, that's how it is now. Now we practically have Transnistria there. There are no relations, there is at least some kind of humanitarian mission. The only thing that distinguishes the temporarily occupied Donbass from Transnistria or the Abkhaz version is that we hear shots,” Zelensky said.

He also commented on the situation in Zolotoy - on one of the three sections of the contact line, on which Minsk agreed to deploy troops (the breeding did not happen due to violations of the silence regime).

“As long as people come to Zolote and shoot, there will be no breeding. If there is no disengagement, there will be no Normandy format,” Zelensky said.

“Even a fool can use force,” he answered when asked whether he would authorize the forceful dispersal of opponents of disengagement.

In response to another question about the disengagement of troops, Zelensky remarked: “I’m like Van Damme in a specific split. - then explained: “I am withdrawing troops where I can ensure security.”

USA and conversation with trump

Expectedly, Zelensky was asked a lot of questions about relations with the United States and US leader Donald Trump. Among other things, about their telephone conversation in July, which caused the scandal over which the US president is now facing impeachment.

On the subject: Not only Zelensky: who else did Trump press for personal political purposes

“I said I was willing to review the case with Joe Biden’s son so that the US Attorney would cooperate with ours. I’m not against it,” Zelensky answered when asked whether he asked the Prosecutor General to consider Biden’s case at Trump’s request.

The journalist asked him three times if he considers Trump’s corruption a request to investigate the activities of the Ukrainian oil and gas company Burisma, which worked for Biden’s son, Trump’s potential rival in the upcoming presidential election. Zelensky said three times that he would not like to comment on the statements of Trump.

“I believe that I have not violated the law of Ukraine. I want what Trump said to be commented on by US legislation, not by me. Otherwise, this will be interference in the US election process,” Zelensky said. “I will not give you the opportunity to change my position, which I have chosen for myself as honest.”

“There was no pressure from Trump,” he concluded.

“We are not service personnel, we are independent Ukraine. We cannot support any American politician. And if every day you involve Ukraine in your problems, this will be a big problem for the United States and for our relations. With all due respect, I won't talk about Trump every day. We have our own problems,” Zelensky emphasized.

Russia, Putin and the exchange of prisoners

During a conversation with reporters, Zelensky complained that the fate of Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, is not discussed either at the Minsk negotiations or in the Normandy format: “There is no discussion of this issue now.”

From his words one could conclude that he was going to raise the issue of the return of Crimea during the Normandy Four negotiations.

On the subject: Trump asked Zelensky to investigate the activities of Biden’s son in Ukraine: what did he do in the country

In addition, at the meeting in the Normandy format, according to Zelensky, a decision will be made to continue the process of prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. Zelensky said this when answering a question about whether Crimean Tatars who are under arrest in Crimea will be included in the exchange lists.

“We have two more trade lists and they are on the list. There is also a list of people who are on the territory of the so-called LPR and DPR. And there is a third list of people for whom we have information that they are on the territory of the “LPR” and “DPR,” but it needs to be confirmed. This is the most difficult task,” he said.

“Do you think Trump spoke to you respectfully? And will President Putin talk to you like that?” — one of the journalists asked Zelensky.

“As for Putin, I choose a format of communication with him that would help achieve results,” Zelensky replied.

What were upset and happy about social networks?

The marathon provoked a lively reaction on the Internet.

“Perhaps, based on what I see, I personally have a certain sympathy for Zelensky. Yes, there are too many “I don’t know,” but it’s definitely better and more honest than the cheerful lies that we in the Russian Federation have been hearing for 20 years,” assures Russian opposition photographer Vasily Maximov.

“Surprisingly, despite all the squalor, Zelensky looks quite decent compared to our underpress,” - suggest in the account @vll1ua.

On the Internet, they monitored not only Zelensky’s statements, but also how journalists were allowed or not allowed to marathon.

On the subject: How Trump and Zelensky's telephone conversation led to a political scandal in the USA

“The narcissism of some journalists is amazing - Sonya Koshkina hints on Telegram that she could become the highlight of today’s press conference, but they didn’t let her in, poor fellow. Zelensky is a minor statesman of the Koshkina era, right?” — ironic user @Reo_An.

She herself, who wrote a book about Maidan Koshkin, assured the audience that she was not upset due to the inadmissibility.

“I was told that “but we read your Telegram (confession, I think) and “we accredited your journalist - do you want us to cross out your journalist and write you down?” So funny, by God. They think I’ll start a showdown, “shuffle” my own guys,” laughs publicist.

Read also on ForumDaily:

“Well, you understand”: at a meeting with Zelensky, Lukashenko called Ukraine Russia. VIDEO

'Russians will like it': correspondence of American diplomats about Ukraine and Biden published

Not only Zelensky: who else did Trump press for personal political purposes

'There is no surrender in it': Ukraine and Russia signed a peace plan for Donbass

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