Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stark warning regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine. Zelenskyy characterized Putin as a relentless aggressor, stating that if allowed to continue, Putin “is an animal” who will “consume you without hesitation.” He emphasized the urgent need for Europe to stand by Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy’s assessment of Putin’s behavior was unapologetically candid, likening the Russian leader to a predator sensing vulnerability. He stressed that Putin would exploit any perceived weakness and devour not only Ukraine but also the ideals of the EU, NATO, freedom, and democracy.
The Ukrainian President urged Europe to continue providing financial aid and military support to Ukraine, framing it as an act of self-preservation. He warned that failure to support Ukraine would not only jeopardize the rights of Ukrainians but also endanger global rights and security.
Zelenskyy made a heartfelt plea, stating that the responsibility to protect children lies with their own nations, not Ukraine. He cautioned that if Russian forces were to target Ukrainian children, they would eventually target children in other regions as well.
Furthermore, Zelenskyy underlined the potential consequences of a Ukrainian defeat, asserting that Putin might expand his military endeavors towards Western nations if Ukraine were to fall.
This interview occurred nearly two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Initially, Zelenskyy garnered global support, but as time passed, weariness over the conflict grew, and funding for Ukraine became subject to trade-offs in Europe and the United States.
Efforts to reach a bipartisan deal on Ukraine aid and U.S. border security continued during the holiday break, as Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut confirmed. Republican opposition to President Joe Biden’s national security supplemental spending package in December created obstacles, as they sought adjustments to border security policies in exchange for aid to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that progress in 2023 may not have met global expectations, but he refuted the notion that Putin is winning the war. He highlighted the substantial casualties sustained by Russian forces and the absence of any significant Ukrainian city falling to Russian control in 2023. He also mentioned the breakthrough achieved by Ukrainian forces in breaking the Russian blockade of the Black Sea.
Zelenskyy stressed the importance of European countries advocating for continued U.S. support to safeguard their own interests. He noted that intelligence services in several European nations were evaluating the potential threat of Russian aggression, even in countries that were not part of the former USSR.
Regarding the prospects for peace, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about any fundamental steps forward from Russia, describing the ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities as acts of a “terrorist country.”
While there have been reports suggesting Russia’s interest in a temporary pause in the conflict, Zelenskyy contended that this pause stemmed from resource constraints rather than a genuine commitment to peace. He believed Russia needed the break to replenish its military capabilities.
Regarding Ukraine’s plans for 2024, Zelenskyy remained cautious, acknowledging that leaks about previous counteroffensives had allowed Russia to plan its responses. However, he emphasized the strategic importance of isolating Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and mentioned a desire for the Taurus, a German-made, long-range stealth cruise missile, to target the Kerch Bridge and further isolate the Crimean peninsula from Russia.
