Washington — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned Sunday that he doesn't imagine Russian President Vladimir Putin is bluffing along with his threats to make use of nuclear weapons, and urged Ukraine's allies to proceed placing stress on Putin to discourage him.
"Perhaps yesterday it was a bluff. Now, it might be a actuality," Zelenskyy mentioned in an interview with "Face the Nation." "He desires to scare the entire world. These are the primary steps of his nuclear blackmail. I do not suppose he is bluffing. I believe the world is deterring it and containing this menace. We have to maintain placing stress on him and never permit him to proceed."
Putin final week threatened to make use of nuclear weapons as he introduced a partial mobilization of his navy reserves, prompting Russian males of preventing age to flee the nation to keep away from preventing in Ukraine. The decision-up by Putin of his navy reserves got here simply earlier than folks in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine started voting on whether or not to grow to be a part of Russia, a course of that has been denounced by the West.
President Biden mentioned Friday the referenda are a "sham" and "false pretext to attempt to annex elements of Ukraine," whereas Zelenskyy warned an annexation would make it "unimaginable" for diplomatic negotiations with Putin to proceed.
"He is aware of it very effectively. I've spoken about it publicly," Zelenskyy mentioned of Putin. "I believe it is a very harmful sign from President Putin that tells us that Putin just isn't going to complete this warfare. That's what's happening."
Ukraine's president urged the U.S. and European allies to proceed to impose sanctions on Putin, but additionally referred to as on the Biden administration to acknowledge Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
"I perceive there will probably be implications. These implications will make diplomatic negotiations unimaginable," Zelenskyy mentioned. "Nonetheless, they're terrorists, and we can't allow them to do it out of worry. They won't give up. We have to maintain making use of stress."
The White Home, nevertheless, mentioned earlier this month that Mr. Biden is not going to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism due to the "unintended penalties" to Ukraine and the world.
Zelenskyy additionally mentioned it is vital for Ukraine to proceed receiving Excessive Mobility Artillery Rocket Programs (HIMARS), artillery and air protection methods. The Biden administration has requested Congress to approve one other $12 billion for Ukraine, however lawmakers haven't acted but.
"Why do we want this? We'd like the safety as a way to appeal to our Ukrainians to come back again residence," he mentioned. "If it is protected, they may come, settle, work right here and can pay taxes after which we can't have a deficit of $5 billion in our finances. So it will likely be a constructive for everyone."
Zelenskyy mentioned the approaching winter months will pose a problem for Ukraine, and expects Russia to focus on his nation's electrical grid.
"However we're not afraid of that," he mentioned. "We'll struggle, and we is not going to give up. It is essential that they will not power different nations, 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."
Zelenskyy additionally predicted he's a goal of Putin's, not solely as a result of he has pushed again towards Russia and its ongoing invasion, but additionally because the chief of the nation.
"He does all the pieces attainable to destabilize our nation to verify we're weaker," he mentioned. "And for that he desires to divide us in fact, I am one of many targets, in fact, it goes with out saying."