Zelensky: We are prepared, but we do not believe there will be war

Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky has declared that he believes there will be no war with Russia, but warned Ukraine will be prepared if Russian military aggression escalates further.

As far as being on military base is concerned, we understand there will be no war. There will be no comprehensive fight against Ukraine, there will be no wide escalation from Russia. If there are, then we will place Ukraine on a war base”, he said, CNN reports.

Zelensky's remarks came after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decision to recognise the Donetsk People's Republic, controlled by separatists and the Luhansk People's Republic, late Monday.

The Ukrainian president described Russia's actions as a form of legal aggression to create a solid basis for possible further military escalation in Russian-backed separatist regions.

Speaking during a media conference in Kiev, the Ukrainian president said Russia's actions constituted an attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but called for further dialogue between the two states.

The “call on Russia, not for the first time, to resolve these issues through dialogue, to sit at the negotiating table. We are willing to negotiate in any form”, he added.