Wherever Putin has been, there is no economic growth, a loss of identity and thousands of people killed- Zelensky

RIGA - Wherever [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has been, there is no economic growth, identity has been lost and thousands of people have been killed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed at a press conference in Riga on Thursday.

At the press conference, the Ukrainian President was asked to answer the question of what happens if the Russians "come", because there is a part of society in Latvia that supports Putin and expects Latvia to be part of Russia. Zelensky noted that there is one example and that is Ukraine.

"Russia "came" to Crimea and annexed it. If people do not fight and defend their freedom, they will lose not only their independence. Tradition is important to some, language is important to others, it is all important not to lose your values, your country and your independence," stressed Zelensky.

He pointed out that if people take up arms and go to protect themselves, Russia will try to kill and destroy them. Zelensky noted that there are not many alternatives here. According to the President of Ukraine, people who want Latvia to become a part of Russia will not fight.

"I know that Latvians will fight. That means they will be killed. That is what the "coming of the Russians" means. If someone supports Putin's policy and thinks that everything will be very beautiful, if people think that TV will protect them, if people live with the narrative spread by Russia, I want to say that these are fairy tales that will never come true," Zelensky said.