Ending support for Ukraine in its war against Russia could lead to further aggression by Moscow against other European countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in an interview with Český rozhlas.
In the exclusive interview, Zelenskyy spoke about military and political support for Ukraine. He also addressed possible peace talks, security guarantees, territorial integrity, EU accession, mobilization, and post-war reconstruction.
Risk for Europe If Ukraine Loses
According to Zelenskyy, the idea of reducing or ending aid to Ukraine is a dangerous experiment. He said that if Kyiv were to lose, Russia could continue the war. The president stressed that all of Europe would have to pay the price for such a mistake.
At the same time, Zelenskyy said that international support allows Ukraine to hold back Russia today. He emphasized the importance of ammunition, air defense systems, drones, and aircraft. In this context, he highlighted the Czech initiative to coordinate ammunition supplies for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In addition, the president confirmed Ukraine’s interest in receiving Czech-made L-159 aircraft to counter attack drones.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that the Czech Republic refused to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine.
Peace Talks and Security Guarantees
Zelenskyy said that Ukraine remains open to negotiations in different formats involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. However, he stressed that Europe must take part in the process. He explained that some security guarantees are directly linked to European institutions. At the same time, the president noted that there is no certainty yet that the sides are close to a final agreement.
Commenting on reports about a possible “peace in exchange for territories,” Zelenskyy said he had heard such ideas discussed in political circles. However, he said he had not heard them directly from the US president. He emphasized that territorial integrity is one of the most difficult issues and can only be decided at the level of heads of state.
EU, Reconstruction, and Mobilization
Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine aims to join the European Union in 2027 and will be technically ready by then. However, he added that the final decision depends on Ukraine’s partners. At the same time, he stressed that Ukraine is open to the participation of European businesses in reconstruction, particularly in the energy sector.
Speaking about mobilization, Zelenskyy acknowledged a shortage of troops and the complexity of bringing Ukrainians back from abroad. He said people left the country for different reasons, so the issue requires a balanced approach. As for strengthening the army, Zelenskyy said he would very much like to support soldiers at the front, especially those who cannot rotate because there are sometimes not enough personnel.
Ukraine as Key Element of European Security
In conclusion, the president said that Russia’s war against Ukraine is a challenge not only for his country but for all of Europe. According to him, supporting Ukraine means protecting European values and security across the continent.
