KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has delivered a resolute message of defiance against Russia’s invasion, insisting that his country will emerge victorious and rejecting calls to cede territory in exchange for a ceasefire.
In a wide-ranging interview at the government headquarters in Kyiv, Zelensky described Russia’s ongoing war as the opening of “World War Three” and criticised what he called global underestimation of Moscow’s ambitions.
“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,” Zelensky said.
Territorial concessions a non-starter
Zelensky firmly dismissed Russian demands that Ukraine surrender control of parts of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, calling such concessions “abandonment” of Ukrainian citizens living in those regions.
“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. That is how I see it. And I am sure that this ‘withdrawal’ would divide our society.”
Zelensky questioned whether any territorial handover would truly satisfy President Vladimir Putin, warning that Russia would regroup and continue hostilities within a few years.
“It would probably satisfy him for a while… once he recovers, our European partners say it could take three to five years. In my opinion, he could recover in no more than a couple of years. Where would he go next? We do not know, but that he would want to continue [the war] is a fact.”
The human cost of retaking land
On reclaiming occupied territories, Zelensky stressed the human cost of an immediate counteroffensive. While Ukraine aims to restore its 1991 borders, he said, victory is not just about land, but about preserving lives.
“To do it today would mean losing a huge number of people, millions of people, because the [Russian] army is large… What is land without people? Honestly, nothing.”
He added that Ukraine’s success depends on continued military and intelligence support from Western partners, and on gradually restoring justice and independence.
“Returning to the just borders of 1991 without a doubt, is not only a victory, it’s justice. Ukraine’s victory is the preservation of our independence, and a victory of justice for the whole world is the return of all our lands.”
Navigating international pressure
Zelensky also addressed pressure from the United States and Western leaders to negotiate ceasefire deals or hold elections amid war.
He dismissed criticisms from former US President Donald Trump, who has previously urged Ukraine to make concessions to Russia.
“I am not a dictator, and I didn’t start the war, that’s it,” Zelensky said when asked about Trump’s allegations.
“It is not only President Trump, we’re talking about America. We want guarantees for 30 years for example. Political elites will change, leaders will change. They will be voted on in Congress… institutions stay.”
He emphasised that security guarantees from the US and allies must precede any potential elections, given that millions of Ukrainians remain displaced and parts of the country are occupied.
Military preparedness and partnership challenges
Zelensky acknowledged ongoing difficulties in acquiring advanced weaponry, including Patriot missile systems and air defence technology, noting that Ukraine still lacks licensing to manufacture them domestically.
“Today the issue is air defence. This is the most difficult problem. Unfortunately, our partners still do not grant licences for us to produce systems ourselves, for example, Patriot systems, or even missiles for the systems we already have. So far, we have not achieved success.”
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Despite the challenges, Zelensky remains confident that a combination of diplomacy, military coordination, and international support will eventually compel Russia to retreat.
“No, no, no, it’s two parallel tracks… you are playing chess with a lot of leaders, not with Russia. One of these parallel ways will, I think, bring success. For us, success is to stop Putin.”
Zelensky’s wider vision of victory
For Zelensky, victory transcends Ukraine’s borders. He framed the conflict as a global struggle against authoritarianism and aggression, warning that Russian ambitions extend beyond Ukraine.
“Stopping Putin today and preventing him from occupying Ukraine is a victory for the whole world. Because Putin will not stop at Ukraine.”
Zelensky’s interview reflects a strategic balance between military realism and political resolve. By rejecting territorial concessions and emphasising international law, he positions Ukraine as a defender of sovereignty and global stability.
His insistence on US-led security guarantees highlights the delicate calculus of war: balancing domestic resilience with international partnerships while navigating conflicting pressures from Western leaders.
His messaging also underscores the human-centered approach to conflict, prioritising civilian safety over immediate territorial recovery, which could appeal to both domestic and international audiences, reinforcing Ukraine’s moral and strategic standing.
