Zelenskyy frames Ukraine's victory as survival and sovereignty, not just map lines
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
In an interview with the BBC, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Ukraine's victory is not only about territory, but also about preserving people and independence.
During the conversation, the host notes that many analysts outside the White House, as well as US President Donald Trump and other officials, believe that Ukraine will not be able to win the war. And if it does not make concessions to Russia, it will lose completely.
For this reason, Zelenskyy is asked whether Trump and others were right, to which the President replied as follows:
"Where are you now? Today you are in Kyiv, you are in the capital of our homeland, you are in Ukraine. I am very grateful for this. Will we lose? Of course not, because we are fighting for Ukraine's independence," says the President of Ukraine.
He stresses that victory means the restoration of normal life for Ukrainians and an end to the tragedy. But at the same time, he presented a broader understanding of victory.
"I believe that stopping Putin today and preventing him from occupying Ukraine is a victory for the whole world. Because Putin will not stop at Ukraine," the President says.
When asked whether Zelenskyy was saying that victory meant only the return of territories, the President explains that there are different kinds of victories.
The head of state is confident that Ukraine will definitely regain its territory in the future. But if we try to do this now, given the number of people in the Russian army, it will mean the loss of millions of Ukrainians.
"We understand the cost of such steps. You would not have enough people, you would be losing them. And what is land without people? Honestly, nothing," he explains.
Summing up, he adds that Ukraine's victory, in addition to saving people, also lies in preserving independence. As for the return of territories, that will be a victory for justice.
"Ukraine's victory is the preservation of our independence, and a victory of justice for the whole world is the return of all our lands," Zelenskyy concludes.
