President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected the idea of surrendering Ukrainian territories in exchange for a ceasefire, warning that Russia will inevitably continue its aggression after restoring its strength.
According to a BBC report following an extensive interview with the head of state in Kyiv’s government quarter, Zelensky believes Vladimir Putin has already initiated a Third World War. He argued that the only appropriate response is intense military and economic pressure on the dictator. Commenting on Moscow's demands for 20% of the Donetsk region, as well as territories in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, Zelensky emphasized that such a move would be a fatal error.
"I don't look at it as just land. I see it as abandonment—weakening our positions, abandoning hundreds of thousands of our people... And I am sure that this 'retreat' would divide our society," the Ukrainian leader stressed. He added that Putin currently only needs a pause to catch his breath: "According to our European partners, this could take three to five years. In my view, he could recover in no more than a couple of years. Where would he go next? We don't know, but the fact that he will want to continue the war is a certainty."
At the same time, Zelensky acknowledged that attempting to reclaim all territories to the 1991 borders solely through military means right now would cost millions of Ukrainian lives due to the size of the Russian army and a shortage of Western weapons. "What is land without people? Honestly, nothing," he explained.
Responding to statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who is demanding that Kyiv quickly sit down at the negotiating table, and rumors regarding the White House's readiness to pressure Ukraine into territorial concessions, Zelensky posed a rhetorical question to the journalist: "Where are you right now? Today you are in Kyiv, you are in the capital of our homeland... Will we lose? Of course not, because we are fighting for Ukraine's independence."
Zelensky laughed off accusations from Trump that the Ukrainian president is allegedly a "dictator who started the war"—a claim that echoes Russian narratives. "I am not a dictator, and I did not start the war, that's all," he retorted.
Regarding security guarantees, the head of state emphasized that Ukraine needs long-term agreements rather than situational promises. He insisted on 30-year deals that must be ratified by the U.S. Congress: "They won't just be voted on in Congress for no reason. It’s not just about presidents. You need Congress. Because presidents change, but institutions remain."
Only after receiving "ironclad" security guarantees will Kyiv be ready to discuss holding presidential elections, which partners have been pushing for. Zelensky noted that he has not yet decided whether he will run again but reminded everyone of the millions of refugees and residents of occupied territories whose voices must be counted. "If you want to hold elections... hold them in a way that the Ukrainian people recognize them first and foremost. And you yourselves must recognize that these are legitimate elections," the President stated.
Separately, Zelensky criticized partners for their reluctance to help strengthen the Ukrainian defense industry. "Today, the number one problem is air defense. Unfortunately, our partners still do not provide us with licenses for the independent production of systems, such as Patriot, or even missiles for the systems we already have," he said. When asked about the reasons for this refusal, the President replied: "I don't know. I don't have an answer."
In conclusion, Zelensky stated that success for Ukraine would mean effectively stopping Putin, adding that Kyiv is playing "complex chess" with many world leaders, not just fighting a war against Russia.