Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asserted that Vladimir Putin has already initiated what could be termed World War Three. In a recent interview at the Ukrainian government complex in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasized that the only way to halt Putin’s aggression is through significant military and economic pressure.
During the interview, Zelensky rejected proposals for Ukraine to concede occupied territories as part of a peace agreement, arguing that Putin’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine. He stated, “I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him… Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves.”
Tensions escalated further when Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, issued a nuclear threat in response to Estonia’s willingness to host NATO nuclear weapons. Peskov warned that if nuclear weapons were deployed in Estonia, Russia would target them in return, leaving no room for misunderstanding regarding the Kremlin’s stance on security.
Zelensky addressed the growing pressure from Western analysts urging Ukraine to negotiate with Russia. He firmly stated that Ukraine will not collapse and dismissed calls for a ceasefire as unacceptable. He believes that preventing Putin from conquering Ukraine is not only vital for Ukraine but for the entire world, asserting, “I believe that stopping Putin today and preventing him from occupying Ukraine is a victory for the whole world.”
Moscow is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from approximately one-fifth of the eastern Donetsk region, which Ukraine refers to as “fortress cities,” as well as additional territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. When questioned about the potential justification for such concessions, Zelensky reacted strongly, viewing it as a betrayal of the Ukrainian people living in those areas.
He remarked, “I see this differently. I don’t look at it simply as land. I see it as abandonment – weakening our positions, abandoning hundreds of thousands of our people who live there.” Zelensky warned that giving in to Putin’s demands would merely provide the Kremlin with time to regroup and rearm, stating, “It would probably satisfy him for a while… but once he recovers… Where would he go next?”
Despite external pressures suggesting an inevitable defeat unless a deal is reached, Zelensky is resolute about Ukraine’s future. He pointed out the significance of the interview’s location as evidence of Ukraine’s resilience, saying, “Where are you now? Today you are in Kyiv, you are in the capital of our homeland.” He remains committed to Ukraine’s independence, asserting, “Of course not, because we are fighting for Ukraine’s independence.”
When asked directly about the necessity of regaining lost territory, Zelensky conveyed that while Ukraine aims to restore its borders, the immediate cost in human lives would be too great. He acknowledged the limitations in military resources and external support but maintained a long-term vision for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“Returning to the just borders of 1991 is not only a victory; it’s justice,” he concluded, reaffirming that Ukraine’s victory is essential for the preservation of its independence and a just outcome for the world.
