What Vladimir Zelensky said in his interview

About elections

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he would like to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine in 2024, but this requires a number of conditions. He said this in an interview with Nataliya Moseychuk.

These conditions were expressed by him in his communication with the US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

If our parliamentarians are ready, because we need then changes in the legislation - in the Electoral Code. And to do it quickly," Zelensky began to name the necessary conditions.

I said to him (Graham - ed.): "Are you ready to give us 5 billion? Because I am not a person who deals with "cobblestones". And it seems to me that this is the amount needed to hold elections in normal times, and in wartime I don't know what that amount is," the president continued.

I will not hold elections on credit. I will not take money from the armed forces and give it to the elections either," Zelensky said.

Zelensky summed up the topic of elections by saying that he did not want to be perceived as someone who holds on to power and opposes elections.

On corruption

Volodymyr Zelensky will propose to parliament to equate corruption with high treason in wartime.

I have set a task for the legislation, and Ukrainian lawmakers will be offered my proposals to equate corruption with high treason for wartime," Zelenskyy said.

The President noted that he realises that such a solution cannot operate permanently in society, but for wartime it should help.

When asked by Moseychuk if Zelensky would like to start the fight against corruption from his entourage. The President replied, "If there is evidence that a person is dishonest, I fire such people."

About the war and the liberation of Crimea

Vladimir Zelensky believes that Russia can be forced to withdraw its troops from occupied Crimea through political pressure. To do this, Ukraine should take control of the administrative border with the peninsula.

Less casualties. If we are on the admin border with Crimea, I believe it is possible to politically pressurise Russia to demilitarise Crimea. I believe it would be better," the President said.

Asked by Moseychuk whether the war should move to Russian territory, Zelensky said no, because "it's a big risk, we will definitely be left alone then."

On the restoration of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power plant

Zelensky said that Ukraine will restore the Kakhovka dam destroyed by the occupants.

We must restore the Kakhovka dam. If there are no gifts - we will have to find a billion and a half with you, I don't know the exact amount. But we have to do it, because we need water for people, because there will be no life there without this water," Zelensky said.

He noted that temporary alternatives to solve the problem were being prepared.