Kyiv won’t trade security for pause in war, Zelenskyy warns Interview with Piers Morgan

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, said recent talks in Geneva brought progress on military issues but left deep political differences unresolved, particularly over Donbas and Ukraine’s long-term security framework.

“We have to understand that Donbas — it's a part of our independence, it's a part of our values. It's not about the land. It's not only about territories, it's about people,” Zelenskyy said. He stressed that the issue extends beyond geography to questions of sovereignty, strategy and national defense. “It's about membership and also about strategy how to defend our country.”

While expressing respect for the United States, Zelenskyy cautioned that no external partner can guarantee that Russia will not renew aggression. “Nobody can give us the word that Putin will not come again,” he said. “When we speak about security guarantees, we mean we need strong security guarantees that the rest of the world or some countries will be ready to answer Putin if he will come back with his aggression.”

Any settlement, he warned, could amount to “ending the war or… freezing the conflict or… pause,” whether for “two years or 10 years.” Ukraine, he said, must think about “next generations” and avoid handing them “empty paper.” Among the guarantees Kyiv seeks are commitments from the United States, progress toward European Union membership, a “coalition of the willing,” and the preservation of a strong national army. Zelenskyy reiterated his opposition to reducing Ukraine’s armed forces, saying, “That’s why we need these 800,000” troops and reinforced defensive lines, particularly in Donbas. Without firm guarantees, he asked, “if Russia will begin aggression again… how we can defend?”

Asked whether he would authorize the killing of Russian President Vladimir Putin if given the opportunity, Zelenskyy rejected the premise. “I'm not sure that another person will not be Putin the same as Putin,” he said, arguing the issue lies with the system rather than an individual. Referring to reported assassination attempts against him, Zelenskyy said such actions would not break Ukraine. “It will not break,” he said, noting that even sustained missile strikes and attacks on the energy grid only strengthened national resolve and “the hatred to Russians increased.”

On the prospect of meeting Putin face to face, Zelenskyy said he holds no personal animosity but would focus strictly on ending the war. “I don't need to waste time on historic issues,” he said, dismissing narratives about imperial history. “For end this war and to go to diplomatic way I don't need all this historical.”

Zelenskyy also addressed domestic political questions, pushing back against suggestions that wartime elections could reshape Ukraine’s course. Ukrainian civil society, he said, remains resilient and engaged. “What Putin did, he united Ukraine extremely well,” he stated, adding that open debate and functioning institutions distinguish Ukraine from Russia’s political system.

Turning to NATO, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine is not currently a member and that accession depends on allies. “We already did what we had to do. We said that we want and we are ready to be a part of NATO,” he said. Decisions now lie with NATO countries, he added, emphasizing that any discussions between NATO and Russia regarding Ukraine’s future must include Kyiv. “It's important that they will discuss our potential place in NATO with us. Not just with Russians but with us — because it's about us.”

By Vafa Guliyeva