Russia must not be allowed to turn the war in Ukraine into frozen conflict - Zelensky

RIGA - Russia must not be allowed to turn the war in Ukraine into a frozen conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters in Riga on Thursday.

Ukraine's goal is not to give away any of its territories, but also to prevent Russia from freezing the war and to prevent Russian from spreading its narratives in the media of both Europe and the United States, as Russia is investing heavily in disinformation, said Zelensky.

"Russia must not be given the opportunity to prepare for a major counter-offensive, Russia must not be given the opportunity to develop manufacturing. Nor should the Russian forces be allowed to turn into an army like the one that attacked Ukraine at the beginning of the war and tried to destroy us," said Zelensky.

In the Ukrainian president's view, Russia may not be allowed to regain its power. Russia does not spare its own people and uses them as cannon fodder. If the war in Ukraine is frozen, countries might start to ease sanctions and ask why a new sanctions package and, for example, a tribunal are needed if there are no active hostilities.

"If the war in Ukraine is frozen, Russia will have time to prepare for a revenge war. This must not happen. We need to consolidate our societies, our plans need to match those of our partners and our capabilities. This means receiving aid that also takes into account the capabilities of our partners. But I am not at liberty to comment on Ukraine's objectives on the front line in more detail," said Zelensky, adding that the outcome of the war and reconstruction of the country after the war depended on the unity of Ukraine and the countries supporting it.

As reported, Zelensky was on an official visit to Latvia on Thursday.