Not Backing Down
絕不退縮:CNN專訪烏克蘭總統澤倫斯基
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky Speaks about the Russian Invasion
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (VIA INTERPRETER)
I think, first of all, he’s a world leader, and it’s very important for people in the United States to understand that despite the fact that the war is taking place in Ukraine, it’s, essentially, for values in life—for democracy, for freedom. Therefore, this war is for all the world.
And that message should be sent far and wide, from Ukraine to people in the United States, so they understand what it is like for us here, what we’re fighting for and why support for Ukraine matters.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT
For a long time, you downplayed the U.S. intelligence assessments about the [there] being an imminent Russian attack. Do you now regret that? And do you think the fact that you didn’t act earlier has left the people of Ukraine unprepared?
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (VIA INTERPRETER)
The response you see today—how we work, how our army works and defends us—is a testament that we’re ready for anything. Even though we were preparing in advance, it’s important not to let your enemy anticipate your reaction. That’s why I really did not like that situation where we put everything at risk and tell the world that we’re preparing for war.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT
The United States has said that it will not enforce a no-fly zone over this country, and it won’t put boots on the ground. Do you think it is now time for President Biden and other Western countries to reconsider that and to help you, not just with military aid, but with manpower?
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (VIA INTERPRETER)
I’ve already turned to some foreign leaders with this request. I believe that leaders must support democratic states of the world who are keen to defend such principles. The powerful issue of closing the airspace helps us tremendously. This does not mean dragging NATO into this war. We spoke many times with President Biden, and I’m thankful for [to] him for these opportunities and support, but they also did not hear me. I’ve been telling them that Ukraine will fight hardest of all—you will see. But us alone, against Russia—we would not be able to do it.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT
Your army has enjoyed some significant battlefield victories in the past week. I, myself, have been to see some of the Russian armored columns that have been totally hammered and destroyed by the weapons and the men that you’ve got fighting the Russian advance. Are you now concerned, though, that the Kremlin will double down on its military operations and hit Ukraine even harder?
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (VIA INTERPRETER)
Firstly, why are we winning or why are we defending ourselves? Because this is our home. Yes, Russia will double up [down], but take a look at them. Why [are] our men are stronger, more powerful and successful? Because, as I said, we have what we need to protect, and they do not even understand our state. They do not know these streets. They do not know our people. [They] do not understand our philosophy [or] our aspirations—what type of people we are. They don’t know anything here. They were just sent here to fight and to die.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT
You sent your delegation to meet the Russians for talks.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE
Yeah.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT
Did anything substantial come out of that? Is there any hope, as the world watches, for diplomacy?
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE
They decided to begin to speak about this situation, and I wanted … I really wanted and I … them … So, you have to speak, first of all, you … everybody has to stop fighting and to go to that points [point] from where it was beginning …
UNIDENTIFIED MALE
Yes.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE
… yes, it began five … six … today, six … six days ago.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE
Yes.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE
I think there are principal things you can do it, and that is [a] very important moment. If you do these, and if those [both] side[s] is [are] ready, it means that they are ready for the peace. If they don’t [are not] ready, it means that you’re just, you know, just … how …
UNIDENTIFIED MALE
Wasting your time.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE
… wasting time.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT
And do you think you’re wasting your time, or do you think they’re ready?
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE
We’ll see.
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基(經由口譯)
首先,我認為,他是一位世界領袖,而對美國人民而言,非常重要的是要了解,儘管戰爭是發生在烏克蘭,這本質上為的是生命中的價值──為民主、為自由。因此,這場戰爭是為了全世界。
而那則訊息應該要被廣為傳達,從烏克蘭到美國人民,好讓他們了解我們這裡是什麼樣的處境、我們為何而戰,以及為何給予烏克蘭支持事關緊要。
CNN特派員 馬修.錢斯
長久以來,你低估了美國情報單位對於有迫在眉睫的俄國攻擊的評估。你現在後悔那件事嗎?你會不會覺得自己沒有更早採取行動使得烏克蘭人民措手不及呢?
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基(經由口譯)
各位今天看到的回應──我們運作的方式、我們軍隊運作和保衛我們的方式──證明了我們為任何事做好準備。儘管我們預先準備,重要的是不要讓敵人預測到你的反應。那就是為什麼我真的不喜歡我們冒著失去一切的風險並且告訴世界我們正在備戰的那種情況。
CNN特派員 馬修.錢斯
美國已經說了,它不會在這個國家上空實施禁航區,也不會派兵參戰。你認為現在是時候拜登總統和其他西方國家重新考慮那件事並幫助你們,不只是以軍事援助,還有人力方面嗎?
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基(經由口譯)
我已經向一些外國領導人提出這項請求了。我認為領導人們必須支持世界上極力保衛這類原則的民主國家。發布關閉領空的強大效力對我們有莫大幫助。這並不意味著把北約捲入這場戰事。我們和拜登總統談過很多次,我也很感謝他給予這些機會和支援,不過他們也沒聽進我說的。我一直告訴他們,烏克蘭將會極力奮戰──各位會看到的。不過單靠我們自己對抗俄羅斯──我們沒辦法做到這件事。
CNN特派員 馬修.錢斯
你們的軍隊在過去這一週已經享有一些重大的戰場勝利。我親自看到部分的俄國武裝部隊被你們派出對抗俄國推進的武器和人員給徹底擊垮和毀滅。不過,你現在會擔心克里姆林宮將會在其軍事行動上加強力道並且更猛烈地攻擊烏克蘭嗎?
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基(經由口譯)
首先,我們為什麼會獲勝,或者說我們為什麼要保衛自己?因為這是我們的家園。是的,俄國會加強力道,但是你看看他們。為什麼我們的人更強、更有威力和成功呢?因為,如我所說的,我們有自己需要保護的東西,而他們甚至不了解我們的國家。他們不了解這些街道。他們不了解我們的人民。他們不了解我們的理念或渴望──我們是什麼樣的人。他們對這裡一無所知。他們只是被送到這裡打仗和送死。
CNN特派員 馬修.錢斯
你派了你們的代表團去和俄國人會面談判。
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基
是的。
CNN特派員 馬修.錢斯
那當中有沒有得到什麼具體的成果呢?在全球關注之際,有沒有任何外交手段的可能性呢?
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基
他們決定開始談論這個情況,我想要……我真的想要,而我……他們……所以,你必須談話,首先,你……大家得要停止打仗,並且從開始的地方走到那個點……
不知名男性
是。
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基
……是的,這是在五……六……今天是六……六天前開始的。
不知名男性
是。
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基
我認為有一些你可以做的首要的事,而且那是非常重要的一刻。如果你做這些,而且如果雙方都準備好了,就表示他們準備好迎接和平。如果他們沒準備好,就表示你只是、只是……怎麼……
不知名男性
浪費你的時間。
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基
……浪費時間。
CNN特派員 馬修.錢斯
那你覺得你們在浪費自己的時間嗎,或者說你覺得他們準備好了呢?
烏克蘭總統 弗拉迪米爾.澤倫斯基
我們再觀察吧。