Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Vladimir Putin has already initiated World War III, and that only a military counterattack and economic pressure can stop the Russian leader. In an interview with the BBC, Zelensky said, '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.'
Zelensky argued that Russia seeks to impose a different way of life on the world, changing the lives people have chosen for themselves. He also commented on Donald Trump's peace proposal, which would involve Ukraine ceding territory to Russia. Zelensky described this as 'abandonment' and 'weakening our positions', warning it would divide Ukrainian society.
Since January 2024, Russia has seized 1.5% of Ukrainian territory and now occupies about 20% of the country. Under Trump's 28-point plan, the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, along with Crimea, would be recognised as Russian land, while Moscow would keep parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine has refused to surrender land, arguing that the loss of some 600,000 troops should not be wasted.
Zelensky warned that Putin would not stop at Ukraine, and could recover within a couple of years to continue the war. Germany has warned that NATO is likely Putin's next target. Despite this, Zelensky expressed confidence in Ukraine's ultimate victory, saying, 'Will we lose? Of course not, because we are fighting for Ukraine’s independence.' He stressed the need for more powerful weapons from allies.
