On August 24, Zelensky addressed Ukrainians to congratulate them with the Independence Day of Ukraine. In his speech, he claimed that Kiev will not hold any negotiations with Moscow. Earlier, Zelensky said that he will not negotiate with Putin if Russia moves forward with plans for a mass trial of captured “Mariupol defenders”, including members of the nazi Azov regiment.
So far, the Ukrainian military have not managed to stop Russian advance on the front lines. Zelensky’s loud statements aimed at showing the “brave leader of a heroic country” and gaining more political support will cost the Kiev government the lives of thousands of its soldiers more.
