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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning that Russia's invasion is no longer just a regional struggle but a threat to global stability, arguing that Vladimir Putin's actions risk widening the war beyond Ukraine's borders.
Speaking in Kyiv, Zelensky said he believes the Kremlin has already set in motion dynamics resembling a broader world conflict. He insisted the response must be sustained military and economic pressure designed to force Moscow to retreat rather than rewarding aggression.
"I believe Putin has already started it," Zelensky said, describing Russia's campaign as an attempt to reshape international norms. "The question is how far he is prepared to go and how the world stops him."
His remarks come as diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire continue amid deep divisions. Russia has maintained that any settlement would require Ukraine to surrender occupied territories, including large parts of the eastern Donetsk region, as well as areas in the south.
Zelensky rejected that logic, framing territorial concessions as a direct abandonment of Ukrainian citizens living under occupation. "I don't see it simply as land," he said. "It would mean weakening our position and dividing our society."
While acknowledging the immense human cost of the war, Zelensky remained defiant about Ukraine's prospects. He argued that halting Russia's advance would constitute a victory not only for Ukraine but for the international order.
"Stopping Putin and preventing the occupation of Ukraine is a victory for the whole world," he said, warning that Moscow would not stop if left unchecked.
The Ukrainian leader also addressed skepticism from some Western political figures and analysts who argue Ukraine cannot achieve outright military success. Zelensky countered that defeat was not inevitable, pointing to Kyiv's endurance despite relentless attacks.
"Will we lose? Of course not," he said.
As the conflict approaches another grim anniversary, the gap between Kyiv's insistence on security guarantees and Moscow's demands for territorial compromise underscores how elusive peace remains. Zelensky's message was clear: any durable settlement must safeguard Ukraine's sovereignty and prevent future aggression.
