The role of US mediation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to journalists about preparations for evacuating civilians from occupied Oleshky in the Kherson region. The head of state emphasised that US mediation plays a key role in implementing this plan.
According to Zelensky, the initiative to organise such a humanitarian mission came from US First Lady Melania Trump. The Ukrainian side already has a clear understanding of the specific steps each participant in the process must take to ensure the evacuation is successful.
«Перше: дуже важливе посередництво Сполучених Штатів. Вони мають приїхати з медіа, з журналістами. Це було наше прохання, бо ми не можемо довіряти російській стороні» ("First: the very important mediation of the United States. They are to come with media, with journalists. This was our request, because we cannot trust the Russian side"), the president explained.
Limiting publicity of details
Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Ukraine is deliberately avoiding public discussion of the technical aspects of the operation. He is convinced that excessive openness or a loud reaction to potential events could cause the evacuation to fail.
«Я не знаю, що буде, але знаю, що може бути. Тому я не хочу розголошувати занадто багато деталей. Бо ці деталі або публічна реакція можуть щось зруйнувати» ("I do not know what will happen, but I know what could happen. Therefore, I do not want to disclose too many details. Because these details or a public reaction could destroy something"), the head of state stressed.
Prospects for residents
The president thanked the American side for facilitating the organisation of the evacuation. At the same time, he acknowledged that it is currently impossible to predict exactly where local residents will choose to go: deeper into the territory under occupier control, or to regions controlled by Kyiv.
Zelensky added that, according to data received from the military and intelligence services, a significant portion of people wish to return to territories free from occupation. However, the practical implementation of this intention remains unknown.
«Це те, що мені розповіли наші люди, військові та розвідка. І, звісно, у них є вся інформація про те, що робити та як комунікувати між собою. Дамо кілька днів на це, і побачимо результат» ("This is what our people, the military and intelligence told me. And, of course, they have all the information on what to do and how to communicate with each other. We will give it a few days, and we will see the result"), the president concluded.
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