Zelenskyy asked if he would order Putin's killing
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to a question on whether he would order the killing of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and also spoke about assassination attempts on his own life.
He made the remarks in an interview with Piers Morgan.
Read also: Did Ukraine and Russia reach agreement in Geneva? Exclusive details of meeting
Piers Morgan asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy whether he would order security services to kill Vladimir Putin if such an opportunity existed.
Zelenskyy gave an indirect response, suggesting it is uncertain that Putin’s killing would fundamentally change anything because the issue lies in an entrenched political system rather than a single individual. He said he is not convinced another figure would not become similar to Putin, stressing that the core problem goes beyond one person.
"It’s not just about Putin. It’s about the system. It’s about the people around him. Even if another person were in his place, and another person were in mine, I don’t know what would happen to him," Zelenskyy concluded.
Assassination attempts on Zelenskyy
The president also spoke about multiple attempts on his life, most of which were prevented by security services. He said he does not know how many attempts there have been, noting that he has been informed about some cases and understands that such an event during a difficult period could push Ukraine toward instability.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine’s priority remains the army, which enables the country to defend itself, while resilience also depends on functioning state systems, including business activity, defence production, energy infrastructure, water supply, banking, and cybersecurity.
He emphasized that within Ukraine’s political system the presidency functions as a state institution that helps maintain stability, meaning the consequences of assassinating a national leader could differ significantly from expectations. Zelenskyy also said Russia underestimates Ukrainian society’s reaction, arguing that Ukrainians are driven by values that shape their ability to resist and endure.
One assassination plot against Zelenskyy uncovered in 2024 involved a 50-year-old Polish citizen allegedly recruited by Russian agents.
