Zelensky expects Merkel to bring from Russia energy guarantees for Ukraine

The Head of State said this in an interview with journalists from the Normandy Four countries and the United States – Washington Post, Liberation, Funke Media, Novoe Vremya, and Novaya Gazeta, the President’s press service informs.

Answering the question whether he was concerned that the German Chancellor would first visit Russia before her visit to Ukraine, Zelensky said he was completely calm about it.

"I am extremely pragmatic in my views and can realistically assess my expectations. This is first of all about real results. I do not expect the Chancellor to come to Kyiv with gifts. She did not do this even in previous years. I hope that Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin will reach a certain agreement with which she will arrive in Kyiv. These can be guarantees for Ukraine. For example, that Russia will agree to supply the minimum amount of gas via Ukraine's gas pipeline system to the EU," the President said.

Zelensky noted that Angela Merkel was guided by pragmatic considerations in relations with Russia but he considered this approach too lenient.

"It is clear that she is trying to maintain relations with Moscow. This can be called a pragmatic approach. And she wants to avoid any surprises during the Bundestag election on September 26. Russia still has influence. My personal opinion is that the Chancellor is advancing a very delicate way of balancing. In my opinion, it is too soft," the Head of State stressed.

ol