ADVERTISEMENTUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview that world security was at stake if Ukraine could not stop the Russian advance with the help of its Western partners.
“If we are not holding out, it will continue to move forward. These are not vain speculations, the threat is real. The ultimate objective of Putin is to revive the Russian Empire and to reconquer territories which are currently under the protection of NATO,” said Zelensky, adding that the United States are part of NATO. This is why they would be involved in any potential conflict, according to the Ukrainian leader.
“Given all of this, I think the situation could degenerate into a world war.”
At least 34 dead after the Russian attack on Soumy
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine. Last weekend, twice on Sundays, Russian forces pulled two ballistic missiles in the city center of the city of Soumy (northeast).
The second missile struck as part of what is called a “double tap”. This means that the second attack is waiting for rescuers and other humanitarian workers to arrive at the place of the impact. At least 34 people were killed.
“We cannot trust negotiations with Russia”
The interview for the American news show “60 minutes” took place in the hometown of Zelensky, Kryvyï Rih. Only a week ago, at least 19 people, including nine children, were also killed by a Russian missile attack. More than 70 people were injured in this attack.
Zelensky concluded from this attack that it meant “that we cannot trust Russia. We cannot trust negotiations with Russia”.
Reach a ceasefire as quickly as possible
Only three days ago, the American special envoy Steve Witkoff went to Russia and met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg. According to the Kremlin, discussions with Witkoff were “extremely useful and effective”.
The meeting focused on the efforts of American president Donald Trump to reach a cease-fire in Ukraine as quickly as possible. According to the Kremlin spokesperson, however, there was no question of a meeting between the two presidents.
Trump described the Russian attack on Soumy “terrible thing”, but he admitted that he was told that this attack was just a “error”.
Is the United States a reliable partner for Ukraine?
Before the entry of Trump, many Ukrainians hoped that Trump could end the war. With the shine of the White House, this hope was ordered otherwise, but surely a lot reduced. Thus, Zelensky said it was a “change in tone and a change of reality”.
“I don’t want to get involved in the change of reality presented to me,” said Zelensky.
“First and foremost, we did not launch an attack. I have the impression that the vice-president justifies Putin’s action in a way. I tried to explain: ‘We cannot look in the middle. There is an attacker and there is a victim. The Russians are the aggressor and we are the victim.”
Since then, the situation has been somewhat peaceful between the Trump administration and Ukraine. However, he could not immediately answer the question of whether the United States was on the side of Ukraine. “Even during my break, there is a problem. Because I want to respond truthfully and quickly that the United States is our strategic and strong partner,” said the Ukrainian president.
“But the break is a doubt. I have no doubt that the American people are behind us. But in a long war, many details are forgotten. In Europe, everyone fears that the United States will move away from Europe,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENTZelensky is however aware that Ukraine would undergo “heavy human and territorial losses” without the support of the United States, which is why he does not even want to consider this scenario. He nevertheless doubts that an equitable ceasefire and peace can be reached.
“Putin never wanted to end the war”.
He explains in the interview of “60 minutes” that we cannot trust Putin. “I have already said that several times to President Trump. So if you ask why the cease-fire is not working-that’s the reason,” said Zelensky. “Putin never wanted to end the war. Putin never wanted us to be independent. Putin wants to destroy us completely – our sovereignty and our people”.
By just peace, the Ukrainian president understands that Ukraine does not lose its sovereignty and independence. He also promised that Ukraine would not recognize the territories temporarily occupied by Russia and that it would do everything to win them back.
One thing that cannot be recovered is the people who were killed in the war of aggression of Russia. According to Zelensky, more than 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers were killed.
ADVERTISEMENTAccording to the UN, the number of Ukrainian civilians killed amounted to more than 12,500. “There is only one thing that can be done: justice. We cannot let go of the question of justice. Those who killed must pay for the murders,” said the Ukrainian president.
