Instructors, trainers, technical personnel can come from France, - Zelenskyi

The situation at the front has become "better than in the last three months," Volodymyr Zelenskyi told French journalists. He gave them a lengthy interview about Macron, the possibility of negotiations with Russia, as well as the potential role of the Western military in Ukraine.

"Russia's advance has been stopped," Zelenskyy said.

Although Ukraine had "difficulties with projectiles, mobility, a large number and density of Russian drones, the Armed Forces of Ukraine "worked well against Russian aviation and leveled the situation," the president says about the situation in the east.

He added that the Ukrainian operation in the Black Sea is also ongoing, there are results, but he cannot tell the details.

Zelensky clarified that one must be realistic and understand that even though Russia's advance has been halted, "tomorrow or in a week or a month they may have an additional million artillery pieces."

Having occupied Avdiivka, the Russians began to advance quickly, capturing several nearby villages. When asked by journalists whether the defense lines were sufficiently fortified, Zelenskyi said that there are three such lines in Ukraine, and they stretch for thousands of kilometers.

But, according to him, the Russians have more weapons, including long-range ones.

"Guided aerial bombs are being dropped, artillery is working, (range - Ed .) they have 20 kilometers more, and ours - up to 20 kilometers. The Russian army is not powerful, they had enough weapons to first destroy (Avdiivka - Ed .) completely, and then go there," the president explained.

A warning for Macron?

During the conversation, the French journalists were most interested in the fact that Emmanuel Macron is due to visit Ukraine soon.

After the projectile (it was a ballistic missile, Zelenskyy said) fell a few hundred meters from the port where the president was with the Greek prime minister, France is worried about its leader.

They asked if this was a "warning" from Putin to Zelenskyi and other leaders who are going to Ukraine, including Macron.

Zelensky replied that he considers such actions by Putin to be signs of inadequacy. He is not sure that such "warnings" should be responded to.

"His (Putin - Ed .) power only grows stronger when leaders are afraid of his warnings, when societies are afraid of one man," the president said.

Zelensky noted that he had spoken with Macron for an hour and a half the day before, and his upcoming visit, the date and time of which have not been disclosed, is not being cancelled.

Macron's words that he does not rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine caused a stir in France and the world. Journalists asked if Zelensky understands and approves of such intentions.

"We will discuss everything in detail when he arrives," Zelenskyy said. But he also explained Macron's proposal in detail.

Ukraine has long cooperated with allies in the field of cyber defense, intelligence exchange and training missions for the Ukrainian military on the territory of European states, the president says.

"But when our boys returned from training, they had to adapt in Ukraine and study here for several months. The process took twice as long. Therefore, the proposal (Macron - Ed.) was that let's shorten the time and conduct a training mission immediately in Ukraine, adapting to the current state of war."

That is, instructors and trainers can come from France, "and this is absolutely normal."

Technical personnel could also come to Ukraine, says Zelensky. Because now, when Western equipment breaks down in Ukraine, it is sent to the West for repair, "this is again a long process."

"That's why I (in the words of Macron - Ed .) did not see anything terrible. As for his words that nothing can be ruled out, I think it is connected with Putin. Because as long as Ukraine stands, the French army will be on French territory," Zelenskyy explained.

He did not specify whether he would discuss with Macron the arrival of instructors and technicians already during the meeting that is planned. But I am sure that Macron's visit to Ukraine should bring a certain decision, which can be "important for both of us".

Zelensky refused to comment on what exactly it was about.

Will negotiations start?

Journalists asked Zelensky whether negotiations with Putin are possible now. He replied that the shelling in Odesa was a "form of dialogue" demonstrated by Putin.

The president insists that Putin does not need negotiations, but a pause, "an additional opportunity, time to restore the combat capability of the army, which is in a difficult situation today."

According to Zelenskyi, "North Korean shells, artillery and missiles" are flying over Ukraine today, which means that Putin lacks weapons, he seems to need time to recover.

"Let's take a pause - and it will be a pause in the same Minsk process, which will give Russia the opportunity to prepare and come with a full occupation of Ukraine and not make the mistakes it made at the beginning, when we destroyed the core of the Russian army," the president believes.

But at the same time, he noted, Kyiv has a plan. It is about the peace summit, which should take place in Switzerland in spring or early summer. There, Ukraine and its allies will present the "path to a just peace", and then will develop in detail the document that they want to hand over to Russia.

"Whether (the Russians - Ed .) will accept this plan or not is another matter. But we will show that we want peace, and it will not be just a pause, but specifics," Zelenskyy said.

The president tried to reassure French journalists about whether there was a nuclear threat from Putin to Europe.

In his opinion, "a person who loves life so much" would not dare to launch a nuclear attack on Europe, especially when the European states also have a nuclear arsenal with which they can respond.

But, Zelensky believes, Putin can organize a "land operation" that will affect the Baltic states or Moldova.

"The plan is clear - there are many destabilizing points in the world, and the more of them, the greater his (Putin - Ed. ) negotiating position," said the president.

"He does not need to completely destroy this or that state of the world, for negotiations it is enough to destabilize it and occupy some part of this state," he added.