“Without the Ukrainian army, Europe unfortunately has no chance against Russia today. Putin knows this and talks about it in his circle,” Zelenskyy added. “Therefore, if Ukraine does not defend itself, he will quickly move on. This is a fact. I am absolutely convinced of this.”
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At least 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 370,000 wounded fending off Moscow’s advance, according to official Ukrainian figures revealed last month, compared to 600,000 dead and wounded reported for Russia.
Kyiv has close to a million troops, Zelenskyy said this month, by far the largest army in Europe excluding Russia.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s allies in the West hadn’t come to terms with the scale of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expansionist ambitions — something the Nordic countries, Baltics, Poland and Romania had long accepted.
“They [the West] do not want to recognize one truth about the Russians: They will go further. Period,” he said.
“This one statement contains the answer to all questions, because if you know for sure that the Russians will go further … Why not strengthen Ukraine as much as possible, increase production at home, for your armed forces?” he added.
Zelenskyy’s comments come as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to enter the White House on Jan. 20.
While campaigning, Trump repeatedly threatened to slash aid for Ukraine and claimed he would end the war quickly, seemingly alluding to a negotiated peace with Moscow — something Kyiv has rejected unless it rules out giving up territory to Russia.
