Ukraine, ‘free world’ should not trade goals, values for compromises: Zelenskyy

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine and the “free world” should not trade in its goals and values for compromises, the nation’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday told an awards ceremony in Washington, DC.

“Ukraine and the free world should definitely not change their goals and exchange their values for some compromises … We must fully protect freedom and guarantee the security of our democracy,” Zelenskyy said during a video speech at the Madeleine K. Albright Democracy Awards, named for the late US secretary of state.

Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin made “the biggest mistake in his life and the lives of modern generations of Russians,” citing a New York Times op-ed written by Madeleine Albright on Feb. 23, one day before Russia launched its “special military operation” in Ukraine. The retired diplomat died one month later.

Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine and the world must receive guarantees of peace, stability and security from Russia, which must “bear responsibility.”

Separately, he underlined that any other option apart from Ukraine’s victory is a mistake.

“That is why we need to continue to have the same strong American leadership that we have seen during these 286 days and always. I believe that it will be so,” he added, as the Russia-Ukraine was nears its 10th month.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​