Zelenskyy: We are close to forcing Russia to end war
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with ABC News, said Ukraine is getting closer to the point where it can force Russia to stop the war. He pointed to operations inside Russia and continued unity between the US and Europe as key factors.
"Honestly, we've come very close to the moment when it's possible to force Russia to end the war. At least to stop it. We've come very close to that. We feel it. Our operation inside them — even though they’re furious — Spiderweb — even though they're furious, they understand everything," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president added that if the United States continues to divert key resources away from Ukraine, as it did with 20,000 Shahed missiles that were sent to the Middle East instead, then Ukraine will have to rely on its own capabilities.
By that, he said, he means denying Russia the ability to carry out strikes and bombard Ukrainian territory.
"So we will then develop this direction. And the Russians understand that if we develop exactly this direction, we do not want the continuation of the war, but if this is the only way out, we will fight for ourselves," Zelenskyy said.
He also stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want to end the war. But he could be pressured into doing so through coordinated efforts by Ukraine's partners. That's why Ukraine needs support from the United States and unity between the US and Europe in applying pressure on Putin.
"We are very close. We need strong support from the United States. The United States needs unity with Europe and still has to put pressure on Putin. He doesn't want to end the war, but he can end the war through pressure from his partners. In my opinion, this presents an opportunity. And this is definitely not pessimistic — I’m talking about reality," Zelenskyy concluded.
Other Zelenskyy statements
In the same interview, Zelenskyy also commented on operations by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) inside Russia and in occupied Crimea.
He said Operation Spiderweb, which targeted Russia's strategic aviation, deserved a 10 out of 10. The Ukrainian president also noted that not all aspects of the Crimean Bridge project had been fully implemented. Those operations, he said, are rated 7 to 8 out of 10.
