Zelenskyy: Putin Has Already Started World War III
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already begun World War III. In a recent interview with the BBC in Kyiv marking the fourth anniversary of the full scale invasion Zelenskyy shared his view that the global conflict is already underway.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has now lasted over four years. During the interview, Zelenskyy explained that his perspective differs from that of U.S. President Donald Trump. “We have different views regarding a third world war,” Zelenskyy said. He believes the real question now is not if a world war will start, but how much territory Putin will seize and how the world can stop him.
Ukraine as a Shield for the West
Zelenskyy argued that Russia’s goal is to force its own way of life on the world and take away the freedom people have chosen for themselves. He credited Ukraine with acting as an “outpost,” preventing the current conflict from escalating into a total, global war.
The President also emphasized the need for strong security guarantees from the United States. He noted that these guarantees should be built into lasting institutions so they do not depend only on the personal choice of whoever is in the White House. When asked about his trust in President Trump, Zelenskyy pointed out that while individual presidents come and go, national institutions remain stable.
The Goal: Returning to 1991 Borders
Zelenskyy remains committed to reclaiming all occupied territories and returning to the Ukrainian borders established in 1991. However, he admitted that trying to do this immediately would be too costly.
“Doing it now would mean losing millions of people,” he warned. He explained that the Russian army is vast and that Ukraine currently lacks the necessary weapons and manpower for such a massive step.
No Territorial Concessions
Zelenskyy firmly rejected the idea of giving up land in the Donetsk, Kherson, or Zaporizhzhia regions to reach a peace deal. Russia currently controls parts of these areas but has not fully conquered them.
For Zelenskyy, this is about more than just land. “I see it as abandonment,” he said. “It would weaken our position and abandon hundreds of thousands of our people who live there. I am sure a withdrawal would divide our society.”
Future Elections and Security
While Zelenskyy’s initial term in office has ended, holding new elections remains difficult during wartime. He explained that before a vote can happen, Ukraine needs reliable security guarantees. These are necessary to prevent Russia from manipulating the election or attempting further annexations.
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