President Zelensky Responds Firmly to Russia’s Ultimatum on Peace: Going Under the Very Bell and Dictating Who Should Pray
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his Sunday address, stayed true to his usual style of openness and decisiveness. He sharply dismissed Russian proposals regarding supposed peace, calling them an ultimatum and emphasizing their unacceptability within the context of Ukrainian legislation, international norms, and the wishes of the Ukrainian people. A recent interview with the host of the American TV channel Newsmax allowed Zelensky to once again outline his stance on Kremlin actions and their ideological manipulations. Answering a question about Russian initiatives and proposals, our head of state stressed that discussions about protecting Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine should only occur when Russian troops are not killing people in the eastern part of the country — the area where the majority of Russian-speaking citizens live. According to Zelensky, it is inappropriate to raise any arguments about preserving the "Russian church" when the country is at war. “Faith is purely a matter of an individual’s will. Freedom is everyone's right to choose their religious affiliation. Putin is simply going under the very bell and dictating whom and how to pray, whom to baptize, and whom not to. This is not a state matter but a personal freedom of religion. A person can go to a church, mosque, synagogue, or any religious organization — it is their right and will. And he tries to take control of every aspect, telling us how to feel about the Russian church. This is not a matter of the state but of personal faith.” Zelensky also noted that in response to Russian proposals, which he called “peace initiatives,” the Ukrainian authorities cannot and should not perceive them as a genuine path to peace. He emphasized that all these demands, which the Kremlin tries to negotiate, are actually ultimatums and gross violations of the Ukrainian Constitution, national legislation, and international law. “Russia cannot be considered a good-faith partner for negotiations when it is an aggressor. They came at us with weapons and destroyed our cities, killing our citizens. Therefore, any proposals that present Ukraine with a choice: capitulation or nothing — are nonsensical. Ukraine has already proven that it is ready to seek ways to peace, but only if the aggressor country renounces its crimes and leaves our land,” media quote Zelensky. The president stressed that Ukraine is willing to compromise regarding a ceasefire but only on certain conditions — without capitulation, and with the preservation of sovereignty and independence. According to him, a ceasefire without specific conditions is not just a temporary pause in fighting but a strategy that must ensure a real and lasting peace, not just a truce for the aggressor’s convenience. “We need to clearly understand what true peace is. It is a return to justice, the protection of our territorial integrity, and independence. Any compromises without proper conditions risk dragging us back into conflict or worsening the situation, so we must act cautiously and with the interests of Ukrainian citizens in mind,” Zelensky summed up. Thus, the president once again emphasized Ukraine’s unwavering stance against any ultimatums and demands coming from the Kremlin in the context of ending the war. We anticipate that Zelensky will continue to be pointed and firm in his statements regarding Russia’s diplomatic games, emphasizing that Ukraine fights for its freedom, independence, and future — and will not yield to any games, even in front of the very bell itself.