President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the main Russian instruments of influence that it is using to try to restore its sway over Europe, to tame it and force it to withdraw support for Ukraine.

He said this in an interview with The Guardian, commenting on the fears of some EU countries about any escalation in relations with Russia.

“Europe is afraid of the word ‘escalation.’ And Europeans always think that because they are developed states, with respect for the rule of law and values, any response of theirs is an escalation”, — the head of state said.

In this connection he urged European countries to be more resolute, since the Kremlin regime understands only strength, and perceives any concessions as weakness.

“Russians feel that weakness and want, while no one has gathered the strength to push back, to inflict damage, to take some additional benefit for themselves. In the direction of Ukraine the benefit is this: that Ukraine should not develop, to destroy identity, lands. That is, political benefits. In the energy direction — Slovakia, Hungary, Eastern Europe, Germany as well — to keep everyone on a constant energy hook. Weakness does not produce dialogue with Russia. For the ‘Russians’ it is weakness and that’s it”, — the Ukrainian leader noted.

According to him, provocations such as Russians violating EU airspace are a test of the united Europe’s resolve.

At the same time Volodymyr Zelensky added that, since the situation on the battlefield currently resembles a stalemate, the Russian dictator Putin is trying to sell at least something to his society.

“Now he needs to show that he dominates. He wants to find some operations that can be sold as successes to his society. These are drones, or an energy attack on us, or a cyberattack on Germany, the United Kingdom, France, or an attack on a political choice during elections in one country or another, where very right-wing representatives might come to power who, let’s say, are close in values to today’s Putin. This is hybrid war. And it is exactly that. And this hybrid war is in Europe, where Ukraine pays the highest price. Because the physical war is on our territory”, — the President explained.