Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a Korean-style ceasefire model is possible, but it is insufficient for his country's security demands.
According to the Ukrainian media Kyiv Post, President Zelensky noted in an interview with French weekly Le Point on the 4th (local time) that "everything is possible, but it must be recognized that Korea has the United States as its key ally," and added that "they have many air defense systems that can guarantee safety."
He said, "To be honest, Ukraine is trying to secure reliable security guarantees like the Patriot system that Korea has." Ukraine and Europe are focused on obtaining post-war security guarantees from the United States.
President Zelensky stated that North Korea's population is only around 20 million, but Russia has over 140 million, and the threat is 5 to 6 times, even 10 times greater, saying, "Simply replicating the Korean model will not meet Ukraine's security demands."
He commented on Korea, saying, "Korea is a case that shows the victory of values. Korea's development cannot be compared to North Korea, which has experienced economic and civilizational decline," and added that "Korea has cultivated humanism, allowing it to leap forward in civilization, technology, and economics."
President Zelensky emphasized that the idea that peace will come if the Ukrainian military leaves the eastern region is untrue, stating that he cannot abandon eastern territory. He also added, "If Ukraine cannot hold out, the (eastern European) border will become Poland, or even Germany." He has dismissed the possibility of territorial concessions in the past, stating that a withdrawal from the east is akin to abandoning national survival.