The next is the total transcript of an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy airing Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, on "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr. President, thanks for speaking to us. I wish to ask you straight away about these referenda which might be taking place in Jap Ukraine. The U.S. says they are a "sham" and supposed to take about 15 p.c of your territory away. What occurs to Ukrainians dwelling in these areas in the event that they reply 'no' when they're requested in the event that they wish to be a part of Russia?
PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Thanks very a lot in your query. Thanks for a possibility to speak to you immediately and with American individuals. Thanks very a lot for a really robust place from the White Home and Joe- President Biden. The referendum can result in very tragic moments. You began your query with a solution that's right. These individuals who do not come to referendum, , Russians can flip off their electrical energy and will not give them a possibility to reside a standard human life. They drive individuals, they throw them in prisons. They drive them to come back to those pseudo-referenda. And likewise, in addition they introduced mobilization. They're forcing individuals to struggle, individuals from the quickly occupied territories. Lots of people shall be compelled to do that. Nevertheless, it is a very low share of individuals: even amongst those that are compelled to point out as much as vote to this sham referendum, we see that there isn't any assist within the society for this referendum. Nevertheless, I see different threats after they full, in the event that they succeed with these referenda. The ballots have been- had been already ready. The Russia of- the Russian authorities can formally announce that the referendum had been accomplished, and the outcomes shall be introduced. This may make it not possible, in any case, to proceed any diplomatic negotiations with the President of Russian Federation, and he is aware of it very nicely. I've spoken about it publicly. I feel it is a very harmful sign from President Putin that tells us that Putin isn't going to complete this struggle. That's what's happening.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The Biden administration has constructed its complete coverage round avoiding direct battle with Russia. As soon as this annexation occurs, does it change that dynamic?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: The place the- the dynamic will change, what particularly do you imply, what sort of dynamic? The dynamic of the assist from the USA?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is Russia utilizing this as an excuse to say that it's being attacked, as a result of the West is offering Ukraine with weapons whether it is seizing Jap Ukraine to annex it?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Sure, that is precisely so. That's right. Look, he is aware of. He feels it, and his army management studies to him. He is aware of that he is shedding the struggle. Within the battlefield, Ukraine has seized the initiative. He can not clarify to his society why, and he's on the lookout for solutions to those questions. His society doesn't perceive what sort of second military on this planet it's that isn't succesful to win and to defeat Ukraine. Yesterday, President Putin stated they'll win Ukraine in three days, however now it is seven months. At present, it is seven months since Russia occupied- tried to occupy Ukraine, however they could not. And now he has to justify. He has to take steps to justify. He says, 'See, let us take a look at it. I'm not afraid of Ukraine. It was a particular operation, however now it is Russia. It is our territory. Look, we carried out referenda. Now, it is the West who assaults Russia. Now, the West assaults our territories. We've got let the society be a part of Russia, the society that needed to be with Russia. And also you see that he has accomplished he has introduced the mobilization. It was once hidden. Now, you see that it has been introduced publicly. For a number of months, they have been secretly mobilizing. However now, they admitted that their military isn't capable of struggle with Ukraine anymore. Their high stage officers have been killed in Ukraine on our battlefield. They didn't count on the resistance that they obtained from us.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Vladimir Putin continues to dangle the specter of nuclear weapons use. You've got known as this nuclear blackmail. Do you assume he is bluffing proper now?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Look, possibly yesterday it was bluff. Now, it might be a actuality. Let's look, what's a up to date use of nuclear weapons or nuclear blackmail? He focused and occupied our nuclear energy plant and the town of Enerhodar. This nuclear station has six blocks. And on high of that, just a few days in the past, other than this station, he- blackmails, he continues his blackmail associated to us exporting electrical energy to Europe. I've talked about earlier than in Enerhodar, now we have six- the scale of six of Chernobyl nuclear vegetation. A number of days in the past, they began capturing at one other nuclear energy plant. It is known as Pivdenna, or Southern Nuclear Energy Plant. The missile hit the world that was 300 meters from the nuclear plant. The nuclear plant misplaced all of the home windows and doorways, and many others. So, he desires to scare the entire world. These are the primary steps of his nuclear blackmail. I do not assume he is bluffing. I feel the world is deterring it and containing this menace. We have to hold placing strain on him and never permit him to proceed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: For seven months, the technique of the West has been to place sanctions on Vladimir Putin. President Biden says extra are coming. What sort of monetary punishment would make a distinction now?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Would you clarify what monetary punishment means? What sort of sanctions?
MARGARET BRENNAN: President Biden has stated extra sanctions are coming.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: I see. Let me clarify this. I feel that there is sanctions that have to be applied in the direction of the very finish, utterly. I respect the management of the USA and the place of President Biden. If we lower Russian banks from SWIFT, we have to lower all Russian banks from SWIFT, however we want to ensure and I'll repeat this, some international locations don't observe and they don't seem to be utterly concerned in these sanctions. So Russian banks, the entire system, the entire Russian banking system have to be lower from SWIFT. Additionally, if we speak about an embargo for power, we want to not search for compromises, or we have to guarantee that this embargo shall be working and all the costs could be applied in accordance with the embargo as a result of the earnings from these imports assist the Russian military and fund the struggle. We see that it is a very costly toy for Putin. It is a very bloody toy. So he wants more cash, all the cash and tremendous earnings from oil and fuel Russia's utilizing, and we have to restrict that. We have to keep united, the USA and Europe collectively implement these sanctions and so they must be applied not solely by the USA, however by the entire democratic world. We can not say that one nation has applied it, the opposite nation has partially applied it, and within the third country- the society does not assist sanctions. And what can the USA do? We might love that- after the de-occupation, we see a really merciless, horrible image; we see torture, we see killings of our civilians; and I will provide you with extra element, however after Bucha, it isn't the primary case we see- the USA might present its management place and acknowledge Russia as a sponsor of terrorism. I perceive there shall be implications. These implications will make diplomatic negotiations not possible, nevertheless, they're terrorists, and we can not allow them to do it out of worry. They won't give up. We have to hold making use of strain. Once more, they don't need any dialogue. We see referenda, we see mobilization, that is emphasizing their will. America may also help the entire world. The sanctions are honest, 100% honest. We de-occupied Kharkiv area. We see many journalists, journalists got here again and they're going to present their movies. We began exhumations, we lifted 500 our bodies. The entire households had been tortured and killed. Their households had been buried collectively. Adults, women and men, and little kids with bullets of their heads. A few of their physique elements had been lacking. They're terrorists, we have to acknowledge them. Who they're, they'll solely perceive dialogue, when they'll really feel that any individual helps them in the event that they really feel somebody's weak spot. Nevertheless, if the world is ignoring them, not supporting them, not coping with them as a result of they're terrorists, they do not have honor. They can not hold their phrase. They don't kill army personnel. They rape, torture and kill civilians. Think about, I used to be there just a few days in the past. We discovered an enormous mass grave of half of a thousand individuals. At present I obtained extra info. The journalists are on their approach. They discovered two extra mass graves, massive graves with a whole bunch of individuals. Additionally and we're speaking about a bit city of Izium. Have you learnt? There are two extra mass graves in a small city. That is what is going on on. The sanctions must proceed. These sanctions can have political influence, in addition to monetary influence.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The US has launched intelligence about Russia's filtration facilities that it's placing Ukrainians into, and estimate that a whole bunch of 1000's of Ukrainian kids are being taken to Russia. Does forcibly separating youngsters from their households represent genocide?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: These are horrible components of genocide of the Ukrainian inhabitants. The tortures that I've talked about. Sadly, now we have not de-occupied the total territory of Ukraine that has has been occupied by Russia since February 24. So lots of these tortures and different occasions are nonetheless forward of us. And we're speaking about massive cities. Proper now, in small cities, we discover graves of a whole bunch and 1000's of individuals. Might you think about after we will come to de-occupy a metropolis that had a inhabitants of 300,000 or half 1,000,000 earlier than the Russian occupation? I can not even think about what occurs there. We've got all of the details about filtration camps, isolation camps, persons are being tortured with numerous means. They apply strain, they torture with electrical present and so forth. And other than that there is deportation, I can not say precise numbers. I do not wish to lie, I would like you to know all the reality. I can not say, or verify that a whole bunch of 1000's of youngsters have been deported as a result of households have been separated. Partially, some individuals have been compelled to remain within the occupied territory. Some households have been separated and youngsters have been compelled to go away into Russia. We don't - can not verify the variety of kids and have been capable of keep within the occupied territories or had been compelled to go to Russia. But it surely's completely true that there are millions of these kids, now we have confirmed that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Offensive operations are dearer than defensive operations. The White Home is asking Congress for $12 billion extra to supply to Ukraine. What do you want this cash for? What is important proper now?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: I do not know if we talk- In the event you speak about the entire quantity that shall be given particularly to Ukraine. I am undecided. God bless you, in case you're proper. I've not obtained the small print from this new improvement. I can inform you for certain what's probably the most very important for us proper now. This ought to be an offensive that may end result within the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories. De-occupation is essential for us to, as quick as doable, save our civilians. Do you see what occurs throughout the seven months of occupation? 1000's of individuals have been killed, raped, tortured. That is why we want this assist to de-occupy our territories to guarantee that extra individuals survive. I do not assume that that is the best worth on this planet to avoid wasting 1000's of lives. I am so grateful for the individuals of (unintelligible) for the U.S. Congress, to President Biden, that you simply work on this difficulty. And I additionally wish to see this difficulty supported. In order of immediately, primary, we're very grateful for HIMARS and different MLRSs that give us a capability to conduct our offensive. Our military seizes the initiative, cuts the technical capabilities of Russia. Second, artillery. Artillery helps us to avoid wasting the lives of our warriors, our fighters, they want a possibility to get provides of tanks from the USA in addition to Europe. If the US will have the ability to present its management and can have the ability to get the tanks, then the Germany- then Germany and different European international locations will observe. I feel if we get tanks from the US, European allies will even assist us to de-occupy Ukrainian cities with tanks. And do not observe Russian false narratives that say that tanks shall be given to Ukraine with the intention to shoot or goal Russia, it isn't true. Even when we needed this. Our process is to guard our personal territory. We don't want a overseas nation, we don't want a overseas nation. We wish to defend our land and save our individuals. That is why tanks are crucial for example for the entire world. Quantity three air protection techniques. We completely want the USA to point out management and provides Ukraine, the air protection techniques. I wish to thank President Biden for a constructive choice that has been already made. And to the US Congress, we obtained NASAMS. It is the air protection techniques. However imagine me, it isn't even almost sufficient to cowl the civilian infrastructure, faculties, hospitals, universities, properties of Ukrainians. Why do we want this? We want the safety with the intention to entice our Ukrainians to come back again residence. If it is secure, they'll come, settle, work right here and pays taxes after which we can't have a deficit of $5 billion in our finances. So it will likely be a constructive for everyone. As a result of as of immediately the USA offers us $1.5 billion each month to assist our finances to fight- struggle this struggle. Nevertheless, if our individuals will come back- and so they do wish to come again very a lot, they've lots of motivation- they'll work right here. After which the USA is not going to must proceed, give us this assist. I am sorry, I am utilizing this language in regards to the struggle, however it will likely be a win-win for everyone. For the USA, it will likely be vital financial savings, however for us, it will likely be a possibility to safe our territory and make it secure for our inhabitants.
MARGARET BRENNAN:
We're heading into these chilly winter months, and a doable world financial disaster. Do you belief that the West will present that monetary assist you want?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:
All of us must reside by way of this winter. It is probably the most difficult winter. And I am satisfied that if we speak about Ukraine, you see what's taking place. They blocked the ports to stop our grain to go away for Africa, Asia, some international locations of Europe to create chaos there, political chaos and famine. They wish to trigger famine. And that is why- and subsequently instability in some international locations. The second disaster that Russia created is power. they've created it earlier than the total scale invasion. The world has no proper to take heed to Russia's false narratives. They are saying that due to the struggle and sanctions, the power costs are going up. It is unfaithful. Bear in mind, earlier than the total scale invasion, Russia had already completed that. Russia had- has completed that, and the power costs have been inflated. The second risk- threat and now they understood that Ukraine is capable- as a result of Ukraine has been linked to the European grid- to assist Europe, Poland, Romania, our neighbors, Moldova, now we have began negotiations with Germany, everyone sees that now we have a surplus of electrical energy. As a result of now we have a nicely developed nuclear energy system. We've got 15 power- stations, 15 blocks, and so they understood that we are going to export our electrical energy to Europe. It signifies that Europe can have an enormous quantity, sufficient quantity, but in addition the worth shall be totally different. So it will not harm Europeans, and Europeans shall be glad and leaders in Europe learn about that. After which they determined to assault our nuclear energy plant. Now, it has been disconnected, six items out of 15 don't work however our nation has sufficient electrical energy. So we see that 1/3 of our capability might be working for Europe proper now. That is what Russia is doing. Sure, in fact, winter shall be very tough. September eleventh. They did it on objective, what a symbolic, tragic image it's. eleventh of September, and particularly on today, they attacked our electrical infrastructure. They left 1.5 million individuals with out energy, you perceive? All infrastructure is interconnected: the pumps, the water management techniques. In order that they created this disaster. We've got corrected it. We labored so onerous, over the three weeks and we mounted every thing. However, you see what they do. So in chilly winter, in fact, they'll shoot missiles, and they're going to goal our electrical grid. This can be a problem, however we aren't afraid of that. We are going to struggle, and we is not going to give up. It is crucial that they will not drive different international locations, United States of America and Europe to endure. Now we endure. We struggle and we give our lives for the way forward for democracy and of the open world.
MARGARET BRENNAN:
Can there be stability in Europe if Vladimir Putin stays in energy?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:
No.
MARGARET BRENNAN:
No?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: I haven't got something so as to add. My opinion isn't any. We've got noticed this over time, we do not see stability. Particularly, we see challenges and dangers, political, financial, meals disaster. Clearly, it's not- COVID-19 was not sufficient for them. COVID took so many lives, brought on financial penalties. That is life. Sadly, it did happen. Nevertheless, concurrently, we see Russia creating, artificially, other forms of disaster and they're very brazenly discussing the threats to the remainder of the world. They began threatening us with nuclear weapons. Will the world rely on one nation or one individual? The world has to decide. We've got made our choice. We is not going to rely on one individual, who isn't a citizen of our nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN:
Mr. President, thanks in your time immediately. I do wish to ask earlier than I allow you to go, you've saved Ukraine united throughout this struggle. Have you ever seen proof that Vladimir Putin will now come and goal you on this second of desperation?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:
I feel that the army technique of army and political management of Russia has not modified: its occupation of our nation. And naturally, they wish to destabilize our nation from inside. You might be very proper in saying that we're united. We've got turn into much more united now than ever, over the 31 years of our independence from the Soviet Union. So he does every thing doable to destabilize our nation to ensure we're weaker. And for that he desires to divide us in fact, I am one of many targets, in fact, it goes with out saying. It is not due to my character, simply because- as a result of the President is a pacesetter of their nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN:
Mr. President, thanks in your time. And good luck to you, sir.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:
Thanks very a lot. We are going to want it. We want you peace and every thing. Thanks very a lot in your assist, the USA.
MARGARET BRENNAN:
And Face the Nation shall be again in a single minute. Stick with us.