Convinced that Moscow is responsible for the collapse of the Kahovka Dam, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears and reveals that already a year ago, Kiev had informed its allies that “something is going to happen there.”

“(The Russians) fear that we will launch a counterattack in this direction and want to make it even more difficult to liberate our territories. They understand very well that they will lose this battle and are delaying the liberation of our territories,” Mr. Zelenskiy said in an interview with the Bild website, adding that since the dam is occupied by Russian forces, the Ukrainian side and international experts they are currently unable to gather information about those responsible for the hit. “We are no longer surprised by what Russia is doing: torture, rape, everything is happening. This is their way of waging war,” he notes and accuses the United Nations and the Red Cross of being absent from the region. “It is not here! The destruction has already been done for so many hours and it is not here! We have not received a response. And if there was any reaction, it was very diplomatic. I am shocked,” he emphasizes.

Referring to the impending Ukrainian counterattack, Volodymyr Zelensky limited himself to stating that “it will be felt”, while, in response to a question about whether the collapse of the dam makes it more difficult, the Ukrainian president stated that “it is difficult to assess what impact it will have ». However, he expresses the hope that “now maybe some people will finally understand what Russia means”.

Mr. Zelensky also speaks of an “internal scandal” in Russia and a “power struggle” between the head of the “Wagner” group Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and believes that Vladimir Putin has realized this, but they have perceived as a weakness by those close to him. “Putin has lost the power he had,” he says characteristically.

Asked whether Ukrainian forces are carrying out attacks against Russian territory, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that Ukraine’s military is “only liberating our territories” and, regarding the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, rejects speculation that it was carried out by Ukrainians. “I am the president and I give the orders. Ukraine has done nothing of the sort. I would never do that. I knew nothing, 100%. And if anyone has evidence, show it to us,” he adds.

The Ukrainian president still states that he wants his country to join NATO, but at the same time acknowledges that countries like Germany and France remain undecided. Regarding whether he will participate in the Summit of the Alliance in Vilnius, he states: “Of course Ukraine would like to be present. But if NATO doesn’t see us as a future member, why should we go?”