Zelenskyy tells ITV News a Putin victory in Ukraine 'would be a loss for the Western world'
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ITV News' International Editor Emma Murphy that Putin’s victory in the Ukraine war would be a loss for the Western world
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told ITV News that Putin’s victory in the Ukraine war would be a loss for the Western world - both Europe and the United States.
In his first British network TV interview since Donald Trump's return to the White House, Zelenskyy also said that the President of Russia "will never stop".
In Kyiv, he told ITV News International Editor Emma Murphy that settling the war without security guarantees would simply lead to Putin returning to take what is left of Ukraine.
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He also said there could be no decision about the country’s future without agreement from Ukraine itself.
“A frozen conflict will lead to Putin coming back again with his aggression. Who will then be receiving prizes? Who will then make history as a winner? No one. And that will be a loss to absolutely everyone. And it is very important for us as well as for Trump.
"He needs to not just finish the war, he needs to make sure that Putin has no chance of coming back with a war against us. I believe this is the most important part. Everyone must admit that. Then it will be a victory,” he said.
The US president has thrown his support behind Ukraine since taking office.
Trump has threatened to impose taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russia if an agreement isn't reached to end the war.
Analysis: ITV News' International Editor Emma Murphy on whether President Zelenskyy seemed like a man on the verge of victory or defeat
But the path to peace has the potential to create another conflict - and a dangerous one - for Ukraine, setting it at odds with the United States, provider of military support and de facto protection.
President Zelenskyy said he didn’t want to even contemplate an unresolvable difference between the two countries' positions.
“If there is a confrontation, God forbid, between the Ukrainian stand and American stand, I don’t even want to think about it, then Putin is the only one who wins from it. Putin’s victory is a loss for the Western world, both Europe and the United States. And he will never stop.
“However long [Putin] lives, he will be living in the Kremlin. However long he lives, he will be taking lives away. He will carry on fighting the war.”
Reporter Geraint Vincent explains where the war between Russia and Ukraine stands now
Six months ago Ukrainian forces launched an operation in the Kursk region of Russia, an advance at a time of defence.
On Thursday, the Ukrainian president honoured those who served at a medal ceremony, acknowledging the role they have played in any future peace negotiations.
Holding Russian territory, however small compared to what the Russia’s hold of Ukraine, will be a valuable asset in any peace talks.
Zelenskyy said: “The aggressor and criminal can and should be fought in their own home. The occupier can and should be confronted on their own territory.”
Speaking in English, the Ukrainian president thanked the UK, the EU and the USA for their support
He said: "I'm very proud that we have such friends today in the world as the UK, the EU and the United States of America. We have such friends because of the people, because people support and continue to support us, our people.
"If we will lose it, we will lose everything. We can't lose people in the world who are on our side. So this is very important. This is for today, real security guarantees for Ukrainians.
"We need more security guarantees from our partners. But what we have for today, this security guarantees, we have the support of the people and I'm proud that we have such relations."
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