Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will not lose the war and will end it with victory. During an interview in Kyiv, he stressed that concessions that involve the withdrawal of troops from the controlled territories of Donbas, Kherson or Zaporizhia are unacceptable.
According to the head of state, the requirement to withdraw Ukrainian forces from strategically important areas would mean not just a loss of land, but a weakening of the country's position and a de facto rejection of hundreds of thousands of citizens living there. Zelensky stressed that such a step would divide society and set a dangerous precedent.
The president also said that Vladimir Putin has already started World War III and can only be stopped by increasing military and economic pressure. In his opinion, Russia needs a pause to regain its strength, after which the aggression can continue.
At the same time, Zelensky categorically rejected the claim that Ukraine's defeat was inevitable. He emphasized that victory means not only a return to normal life and an end to the killings, but also the elimination of the global threat from the Kremlin. He called the return to the 1991 borders a victory for justice, although he acknowledged that it was a matter of time and resources.
Donald Trump's position on the need for quick negotiations. According to Zelensky, security guarantees for Ukraine should be institutional and enshrined in a decision by the US Congress, because presidents change, but institutions remain.
Regarding the elections scheduled for 2024, Zelensky noted that they can only be held after receiving real security guarantees and amending the legislation. He emphasized that the elections must be legitimate, first and foremost, for the Ukrainian people.
The President also mentioned the need to obtain licenses for the production of weapons, in particular missiles for Patriot air defense systems, which would allow strengthening the country's defense capabilities. According to him, the issue of air defense remains one of the most difficult.
Zelensky stressed that the war is a multi-vector process in which Ukraine is waging a diplomatic and military struggle in parallel. He called the main goal to stop Putin and prevent further escalation.
