Vladimir Zelensky openly stated that in the current conditions, Russia can «achieve victory» in the war against Ukraine only if the conflict becomes prolonged without international restrictions and sanctions
In an interview with ABC News, the President of Ukraine emphasized that the current situation largely depends on the unity of the global community and its support for Ukraine. According to him, any potential victories of the Russian aggressor remain unlikely if the world's nations maintain their solidarity and continue supporting Kyiv. «Putin, under the present circumstances, has no chance of winning the war if the world remains united and stands with us. It is impossible. His only chance is a multi-year war without sanctions, lasting decades, and the ability to endure this situation for a long time. He seeks for this war to become exhausting and prolonged for us because then he will need additional financial resources and the possibility to stay in the Kremlin until the end of his days. This is his main goal,» the Ukrainian leader explained his interpretation of the situation. Discussing the views of American leader Donald Trump, Zelensky highlighted that the former U.S. president believed that Russia could «win» the war, both publicly and in private conversations with his circle. However, the Ukrainian leader noted that such statements are far from reality: «I have said many times — this does not reflect the situation. It is not about words but about the true state of affairs. Victory does not mean sacrificing millions of lives and capturing a few thousand square kilometers of land. It is a complex strategic initiative that depends on a large number of people, weapons, resources, and willpower. This is not a victory. I explained this directly to President Trump as well. You will see — this is not victory.» Zelensky stressed that the key factor in the war is Western support. If the United States and Europe cease their aid and stop supporting Ukraine, the Russian army will have a greater chance of success. However, he added that even without full support from partners, it was already difficult for Russia to achieve victory at the beginning of the war: «Even then, it was difficult for them to occupy our country. This confirms that global support for victory is a critical factor.» He particularly emphasized the role of the energy sector in Russia’s survival. According to Zelensky, the economy of the aggressor country largely depends on oil and gas, and therefore Western countries need to implement strict sanctions in this area as quickly as possible. «We can impose energy restrictions, set a maximum price on oil — $30 per barrel. We have lost three years, and now this money is working for Russia,» the president stated. Answering the question about what will happen if the USA cease military support to Ukraine, Zelensky predicted that the likelihood of a faster defeat of Russian forces would increase. «In such a situation, Russia will have a better chance of success, and Ukraine’s defeat will happen sooner. At the same time, Ukraine’s situation will significantly worsen, with higher losses and destruction,» he stated. However, if the global coalition manages to maintain support and does not lift sanctions, the Ukrainian leader is confident that victory can still be achieved. But he emphasizes that at this moment, the future development largely depends on the unity and firmness of the international community, and much of Ukraine’s independence and security future hinges on it.