Zelenskiy denies attacking Moscow, vows to start counteroffensive

Russia had earlier Wednesday accused Ukraine of a failed assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin during a drone strike on the Kremlin Citadel in central Moscow and threatened retaliation.

Zelenskiy, NATO's new member, spoke at a Finnish press conference. He said that his main concern was the defense of Ukraine's cities and villages from the Russian invasion, which began almost 15 months earlier.

Zelenskiy said: "We don't fight Putin or Moscow; we fight on our own territory."

Zelenskiy added: "It is very simple." When asked why it was in Russia’s interest to accuse Ukraine that they were trying to assassinate Putin he said: "It is in our interests. Russia has not won any victories. He (Putin), can no longer inspire his society and he cannot send his troops to die anymore... Now he must motivate his people in order to move forward."

The Ukrainian President also stated that he is confident the West will supply Kyiv modern warplanes if his nation succeeds on the battlefield. He cited previous examples which led to Ukraine receiving new types of military assistance.

"I am confident that we will have planes soon. We will soon launch an offensive and I'm sure that we will receive planes afterward. Zelenskiy stated that he would have preferred it to be the other way around, since it would make it easier for him. But it is what it is and we are grateful.

"We need them. We really need them," he said.

Sauli Niinisto, the Finnish president, said that Finland was unable to donate its Hornets fighters made in the United States because they were too old. Few other European countries had models similar to Finland's. Therefore it wouldn't make sense for Finland and Finland alone to create a service network.

CASE FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP

Only after his arrival in Helsinki, amid tight security, was the visit of the Ukrainian president to Finland announced. It is one of the few trips he's made since the Russian invasion.

He reiterated that he wants Ukraine to be a member of NATO, the Western military coalition to which Finland became the 31st country last month in response to Russia's invasion.

Zelenskiy stated that "we need security guarantees now, even though we are not NATO members."

"In any case, we want to be full members of the alliance." It is for this reason that I am present today. "The second reason or, to be honest, the priority is strengthening our military."

Zelenskiy had bilateral talks with Niinisto, as well as an international summit which included the Prime Ministers of Sweden and Norway.

Zelenskiy arrived in Helsinki's central area, and hundreds of people cheered as he appeared before the presidential palace.

No grain?

Zelenskiy stated that Russia does not seem interested in extending their Black Sea grain agreement that has enabled vital food exports. Kyiv, however, is focused on finding partners to continue this deal which expires on 18 May.

When asked about the grain agreement and whether or not the alleged Kremlin attack would affect negotiations he replied: "I do not see any interest from Russia in continuing the grain initiative. But this happens every single time. We are not interested in Russian interest. We are interested in the fulfillment of agreements with our partners."

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