Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already commenced World War III and is unlikely to halt his aggressive campaign after Ukraine. In a recent interview with the BBC, Zelensky emphasized that only a robust military counterattack and sustained economic pressure can curb Putin's ambitions.
Zelensky's Dire Assessment of Global Conflict
Zelensky 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." He elaborated that Russia aims to impose a divergent way of life globally, altering the self-determined paths of nations. The president traced the onset of this major conflict to February 24, 2020, when Kremlin forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a pivotal escalation in hostilities.
Rejecting Territorial Concessions
Addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump's peace proposal, which involves ceding significant Ukrainian territories to Russia, Zelensky expressed firm opposition. He clarified, "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." Such a withdrawal, he argued, would fracture Ukrainian society and disregard the sacrifices of approximately 600,000 troops.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russia has captured 1.5% of Ukrainian territory since January 2024, now occupying around 20% of the country. Trump's 28-point plan would essentially recognize Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea as Russian, while allowing Moscow to retain control over parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Future Threats and NATO Concerns
Zelensky cautioned that Putin's ambitions extend beyond Ukraine, predicting a potential recovery period of two to five years before further aggression. "Where would he go next? We do not know, but that he would want to continue [the war] is a fact," he remarked. This aligns with Germany's November warning that NATO, the defense alliance encompassing most European powers, is likely Putin's next target, heightening regional security anxieties.
Ukraine's Path to Victory
Despite the grim outlook, Zelensky affirmed Ukraine's eventual triumph as the conflict approaches its four-year mark. "Will we lose? Of course not, because we are fighting for Ukraine's independence," he declared. He acknowledged the high human cost of immediate action, noting, "To do it today would mean losing a huge number of people – millions of people – because the [Russian] army is large."
Zelensky stressed the necessity of more powerful weaponry to achieve victory, underscoring that land without people holds no value. He also highlighted the enduring role of U.S. institutions beyond presidential changes, stating, "Presidents change, but institutions stay," pointing to Congress as a key player alongside the executive branch.
Ukraine maintains that any territorial decisions should involve a referendum, ensuring the Ukrainian people have a direct say in their nation's future, rather than capitulating to external pressures.
