Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning about the ongoing war with Vladimir Putin, stating in a BBC interview that “Putin has already started World War III” and reaffirming that Ukraine will not cede 20% of the Donbas region.

Speaking on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is not losing the war and will ultimately secure victory, The Caspian Post reports via foreign media.

He rejected Putin’s demands for a ceasefire in exchange for territorial concessions, describing them as attempts to weaken Ukraine and abandon hundreds of thousands of citizens living in the occupied areas.

Zelenskyy also addressed the idea of restoring Ukraine’s 1991 borders, calling it “a victory of justice,” but noted that attempting it militarily today would cost millions of lives due to the size of the Russian army and insufficient Ukrainian weaponry. He stressed that success depends not only on Ukraine’s efforts but also on support from international partners.

On security guarantees from the United States, Zelenskyy said they must be institutionalized through Congress to endure beyond the term of any single president. Commenting on discussions with U.S. president's envoy Steven Witkoff, Zelenskyy insisted that Americans must stop Russian aggression rather than try to appease it.

Regarding future elections, Zelenskyy said he has not decided whether he will run again. He noted that elections are technically possible if Ukraine has time to adjust laws and secure safety guarantees, but the priority remains ending the war and ensuring legitimate participation for millions of Ukrainians abroad and in occupied regions.

Zelenskyy’s statements underline Ukraine’s unwavering stance: no territorial concessions, preparation for long-term conflict, and reliance on international partnerships to secure both justice and security.