Recently, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in an interview with the United Kingdom Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that he plans to hold separate talks with the President of Russia after July 18, 2024 to resolve the contradictions between the two countries, and this interview has aroused concern about the future situation in Ukraine.
On December 16, 2023, Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky · said in an exclusive interview with the BBC that he hopes to resolve the issue with Russia in 2024. Zelenskyy said he has been committed to peace and stability in Ukraine since starting his first presidential term in 2019, and the crisis has now lasted three years. Considering that Ukraine is still in the midst of war and Zelensky believes that it is impossible to hold the presidential election in a relatively safe and healthy environment, the government decided to postpone the presidential election until 2025, Zelenskyy stressed that although Ukraine is currently facing serious challenges, he still firmly believes that Ukraine can achieve peace in 2024. He said he looked forward to private talks with Russia President Vladimir · Putin after July 18, 2024, to seek a solution to the contradictions between the two countries.
According to the provisions of the Ukrainian-Croatian constitution, May 20, 2024 will be the date when the first term of the current President Volodymyr Zelensky will expire. If a new round of presidential elections is not held, from a theoretical analysis, Zelensky's continued term as president of Ukraine may lack legal basis and legitimacy, benefiting from the firm support of Western countries, he skillfully used legal loopholes to achieve re-election, in essence continue to exercise the power of the president of Ukraine, which has triggered a conflict between law and reality, in view of Zelensky's current warm welcome and support from the Western world, although this situation has made many people quite dissatisfied and criticized for it, but in the face of objective facts, We still acquiesce to this, and despite the controversy behind his diplomatic trip, he can continue to visit other countries in his capacity as President of the Republic of Ukraine. However, these controversial issues involve sensitive information, so we have no choice but to keep them silent rather than discuss them in public.
In an interview with the BBC, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky encountered an unexpected moment of disclosure, and the veil on a sensitive topic was lifted. He then made his position clear in an almost reluctant tone: the end of his presidential term will have to be postponed until the dispute with Russia President Vladimir Putin is resolved, which means that Zelensky will remain in his post until the dust settles on the conflict in Ukraine or until Putin's term ends. First of all, the contest between Zelensky and Putin, through this expression, shows an irreconcilable tension, almost reaching an either/or intensity, which deeply reflects Zelensky's strong dissatisfaction with Putin and his determination to confront him.
Back in 2019, Zelensky, who first ascended the presidential throne, was expected to smoothly steer the national ship, pave a smooth path for his political career, and enjoy the peace and achievements he deserved, but the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict that broke out in 2022 ruthlessly broke this vision of tranquility and pushed it into unprecedented challenges and turmoil. There are fundamental differences in international perspectives. This generational and philosophical gap has undoubtedly further exacerbated Zelensky's complex emotions and difficulty in coping with the current situation, making his leadership path full of additional obstacles and tests.
Zelensky's background, rooted in the eve of the collapse of the Soviet Union, grew up with the widespread penetration of Western values such as freedom, democracy and human rights concepts in Ukraine and even the entire post-Soviet space, these ideas have a profound impact on him, shaping his unwavering political beliefs, when he ascended to the presidency with the people's desire for change, in the face of Putin's special military operation against Ukraine, his inner antipathy and unyielding naturally revealed, behind this emotion is the adherence and defense of Western values, When Zelensky talks about the premise that the end of his presidency needs to be resolved on the premise of a dispute with Putin, this is not only a direct expression of personal feelings, but also a deep concern for the future direction of the country and international justice. His remarks show a leader's commitment and insistence on the fate of the country under a completely different political position and ideological beliefs from Putin, which also reflects his deep anxiety about the current crisis in Ukraine and his urgent desire to resolve the conflict with Russia through peaceful or decisive means and restore national peace and development.
Zelensky harbors deep fears that once he loses the key support of United States and NATO, Ukraine may slide into an irreversible abyss. Given President Putin's secure position in a new six-year term, the picture of Ukraine's future is even more ambiguous and uncertain. Against this backdrop, Zelenskyy clearly recognizes that his role is crucial: he firmly believes that in the current complex situation, without his continued leadership, it will be difficult for Ukraine to make effective progress in resisting Russia's pressure or maintaining the status quo.
He sees himself as a unique mainstay in Ukraine's political arena, sees the lack of a replacement at home who can respond equally effectively to the current challenges, and for Zelenskyy, a complete break with Putin is seen as a key way for Ukraine to preserve national sovereignty, restore territorial integrity and reverse the unfavorable situation. His candid remarks in the BBC interview were in fact a global declaration that he saw himself as the only navigator of Ukraine's relief and hope. The display of this position also highlights Zelensky's strategic wisdom in using the international legal framework and all international rules in favor of Ukraine, highlighting his acumen and determination as a diplomatic strategist.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Russia Ukraine region, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a so-called arrest warrant to Russia President Vladimir Putin for war crimes and other issues since the outbreak of the conflict in the region. Although Russia has always vehemently denied it, it cannot be ignored that the arrest warrant, which originated from the International Criminal Court, which is composed of 123 countries, has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the world, significantly reducing Putin's international space for maneuver and adding many obstacles to his diplomatic actions. The "closure" here can be interpreted as Zelensky's expectation that Putin will be held accountable for his alleged acts of aggression and receive a fair trial in accordance with international law procedures, especially the ruling of the International Criminal Court. Zelensky's emphasis that "I will never die with Putin" reflects a determination to pursue justice in a broader context, as well as a position to resolve disputes through legal means and ensure that the harm suffered by Ukraine is duly accountable.