Ukraine war remains “in the balance,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, rejecting defeat while detailing pressure from the US and Russia over Donbas and warning of Kremlin election interference efforts.
The outcome of the four-year war in Ukraine remains “in the balance,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told AFP in an exclusive interview on Friday, while firmly dismissing the notion that his country is facing defeat.
Speaking just days before the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion, Zelenskyy asserted, “You can’t say that we’re losing the war. Honestly, we’re definitely not losing it, definitely. The question is whether we will win. Yes, that is the question – but it’s a very costly question,”.
The Donbas dilemma: Pressure from East and West
Despite his defiant stance on the battlefield, the Ukrainian President revealed that Kyiv is facing unprecedented diplomatic heat from both Washington and Moscow. According to Zelenskyy, both powers are exerting pressure on Ukraine to abandon the embattled Donbas region as a condition for any peace deal. “Both the Americans and the Russians say that if you want the war to end tomorrow, get out of Donbas,” Zelenskyy said.
The strategic eastern region is currently split: Russia has seized nearly the entire Lugansk region, while Ukraine maintains control over approximately one-fifth of the Donetsk region. Zelenskyy signalled a willingness to accept foreign troops as part of a potential ceasefire but insisted that such a contingent be positioned “closer to the front line” to stand alongside Ukrainian partners.
Intelligence, elections and the Kremlin’s strategy
Addressing concerns over shifting US support under Donald Trump, Zelenskyy said that while financial and military aid has seen cutbacks, vital intelligence sharing remains robust. “We receive intelligence from the Americans at the same level as we always have,” he confirmed, though he noted that Ukrainian forces often desire even more comprehensive data than is currently provided.
Zelenskyy also took aim at what he described as a Kremlin plot to destabilize Ukraine from within. He claimed Russia is pushing for immediate presidential elections in hopes of removing him from power. “Let’s be honest — the Russians just want to replace me,” he stated, adding that holding a vote during active hostilities would have a “destructive effect” that the nation fears. While the President has not yet decided if he would run in a future vote, he remains focused on the immediate survival of the state.
With inputs from agencies
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