Zelensky condemns neutral flag for Russian and Belarusian athletes at Olympics: “Let there be bloodstains on it, and then let them compete”

In an interview with French media, President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed various topics, including the war, territorial concessions, and the Olympics. He also mentioned that the Russian troops could make advances due to the lengthy process of equipping replacement brigades for the exhausted fighters on the front line.

Rubryka writes about this with reference to the interview of the head of state with the French mass media.

The situation at the front

"It's difficult all along the Eastern front. Since the Russians failed to take Kharkiv—and we understand that they won't—their main objective has changed. Their main direction is not the east as a whole, although Sloviansk is not an exception, but Pokrovsk, I would say for today, is a priority for them," the president said.

According to him, Russian troops focus on the Pokrovsk front. Their aim is to take control of Pokrovsk as well as Kostiantynivka, Toretsk, and Sloviansk.

Zelensky noted that the Russians have deployed significant personnel and weaponry and guided aerial bombs to the Pokrovsk front. He stated that countering their air defense systems may be possible by taking out their aircraft.

"Although I will tell you honestly, they have already lost the planes, they have lost the corresponding number, but they are also losing their air defense, the air defense system. It is difficult to fight them in the sky; that is a fact. Their fleet is more numerous if you can say so, and it is difficult to fight, but nonetheless," the head of state added.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian troops could advance mainly because it took a long time to equip the brigades to replace the tired fighters on the front line.

The President mentioned that Ukraine was in the process of preparing 14 brigades and that they were seeking to equip them with weapons from Western countries.

"Do you think if 3 of the 14 are manned, it is possible to stop [the Russians]?" Zelensky asked.

He mentioned that the partners had approved multibillion-dollar aid packages for supplying units meant to serve as reserves for rotating units on the battlefield. The aid also benefited brigades already in battle and need of shells.

"At the same time, the reserves were being prepared. We have already spent a year and a half on this. It's just a constant process when you rebuild your army. When we talked about all these packages from the EU and the USA, it was the staffing of 14 brigades. At least 10, I'll be honest. Because the guys are on the battlefield. And they have to rest. And how will you conduct rotations if the brigades that are supposed to replace them are empty?" Zelensky said.

He added that the Defense Forces of Ukraine "definitely" can stop the advance of the Russians, but the price is people's lives and time while the brigade's staffing continues.

Additionally, Zelensky stated that the Russians are making progress due to Ukraine's limitations on conducting strikes with Western weapons deep inside Russia, as well as restricting attacks on Russian military installations and aircraft near the Ukrainian border. Furthermore, the fear of Russian soldiers facing assassination from their own comrades if they fail to advance is also a contributing factor.

Territorial concessions

Zelensky said that Ukraine will never give up its territories. At the same time, he emphasized that the head of state cannot decide the issue of territorial concessions in favor of Russia without the will of the people, as this would contradict the Constitution.

"Any issue of territorial integrity cannot be resolved by the president, any person in the world, or all the presidents of the world without the Ukrainian people. This contradicts our Constitution. This is our issue, of an internal nature," Zelensky emphasized.

He also emphasized that the possibility of territory concessions should be discussed only if someone officially raises this issue, but, according to Zelensky, no one proposed this.

The president also noted that the Ukrainian authorities do not have the right to give up their own territories and emphasized that Kyiv will never do this.

When asked whether a referendum on annexing part of the Ukrainian lands to Russia is possible, Zelensky noted that this requires the people's will. He also believes this is "not the best option because we are dealing with Putin, and for him, it will be a victory."

Meanwhile, the head of state recognizes that not all Ukrainian territories must be reclaimed through force – in his view, some can be regained through diplomacy. This is why the "peace formula" was devised.

The Olympics

The country's leader declared the acceptance of Russian and Belarusian athletes into the Olympics under a neutral flag as a form of partial sanctions.

"And what is the difference between North Korea and Belarus in this case? […] North Korea, which threatens the whole world with nuclear weapons, sells missiles and artillery – millions of artillery shells – to Russia, and all these millions go to kill Ukrainians," Zelensky said.

He added that to overcome tyranny and authoritarianism, one must act "very concretely."

"If we introduce sanctions, let's introduce them. If they are piecemeal sanctions, it's better not to play with populism," Zelensky said.

He noted that much was done so that the IOC could introduce these "piecemeal sanctions" as well.

"Look at this neutral flag; what is there? Let there be bloodstains on it, and then let them compete," Zelensky said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that most countries want Russia to participate in the second Peace Summit and that, therefore, "Ukraine cannot be against this initiative."