Western sanctions haven't affected Russia's position on Ukraine - Zelensky

LONDON. June 7 (Interfax) - The sanctions that the United States, the European Union, and their partners have imposed on Russia have not influenced Moscow's position on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview published in the Financial Times.

While sanctions have dealt a blow to the Russian economy, they "have not really influenced the Russian position," he said.

Zelensky criticized the very way the West is pursuing its sanction policy, saying that countries "are supporting Ukraine but also checking what can be done to weaken sanctions so business doesn't suffer."

Speaking of the fighting in Ukraine and of Kyiv's goals, Zelensky insisted that "victory must be achieved on the battlefield." At the same time, he said he was not opposed to one-on-one talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the FT said.

Zelensky yet again urged Western countries to help him. "We are inferior in terms of equipment and therefore we are not capable of advancing," he said.

"We are going to suffer more losses and people are my priority," he said.

Zelensky criticized some of Ukraine's allies that are calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine without discussing the terms on which this could be done with Kyiv.

"How can we achieve a ceasefire on the territory of Ukraine without listening to the position of this country? This is very surprising," he said.