Zelenskyy insists Ukraine will reclaim all territory and stop Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine’s ultimate victory depends on reclaiming all its lands and preserving its independence.

In an exclusive BBC interview, Zelenskyy emphasised that any compromise on territory—particularly the eastern Donetsk region and southern areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia—would be unacceptable.

“It is only a matter of time,” he said, “but returning to the just borders of 1991 is not only a victory, it is justice.” Zelenskyy warned that withdrawing from these strategically important areas would amount to abandoning hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and weakening the country’s defensive positions, while also dividing Ukrainian society.

Beyond territorial integrity, Zelenskyy framed the conflict as a global struggle. He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had effectively started World War Three, seeking to impose a new way of life on the world and reshape societies according to Moscow’s vision.

“Stopping Putin today and preventing him from occupying Ukraine is a victory for the whole world,” Zelenskyy said. He argued that yielding to Russia’s demands—even temporarily—would only provide Putin with a pause before further aggression. Analysts in Europe estimate that, after a pause, Russia could recover militarily within a couple of years, meaning any concessions now might simply postpone the next phase of the conflict.

Zelenskyy also addressed pressures from the United States and other Western nations, including recent demands from President Donald Trump for territorial concessions and a Ukrainian general election. While acknowledging Trump’s influence, Zelenskyy stressed that security guarantees must come first and must be institutionalised, not dependent on a single administration.

He underlined the necessity of Congressional approval in Washington to ensure long-term commitments, noting that leadership in Ukraine’s allies changes, but institutions endure.

On the battlefield, Zelenskyy highlighted the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces, including the need for weapons and licensed production of advanced systems such as Patriot air defence missiles. He criticised allies for delays in granting production rights, which he said would strengthen Ukraine’s self-reliance in defending its territory.

Despite these pressures, Zelenskyy projected confidence in Ukraine’s ultimate success. He dismissed claims that he is a dictator or started the war—points echoing Russian propaganda—and affirmed that Ukraine is fighting for its independence.

Victory, he explained, is not merely regaining land, but restoring normal life, safeguarding civilians, and halting Russian aggression. In his closing remarks, Zelenskyy conveyed a sense of steadfast resolve: “We are playing chess with many leaders, not just Russia. One of these parallel paths will bring success. Success is to stop Putin.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev