Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave his first big interview in 2025. He answered important questions that have been of interest to all Ukrainians for almost three years.
ICTV Facts collected the main points and statements from Volodymyr Zelensky's interview.
- Will the war end in one day
- What was the significance of the Kursk operation
- On the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine
- Security guarantees for Ukraine and a fair peace
- How Donald Trump can stop war
- The situation at the front and the reasons for the Russian advance
- On cases of SOC among Ukrainian military
- What were Russia's plans in 2024
- Will there be elections during martial law
- Will Zelensky run for a second presidential term
- On the return of Ukrainians who left after the war began
Will the war end in one day
The head of state believes that Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine will not end in one day.
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In his opinion, the hot stage may end faster if US President-elect Donald Trump takes a decisive stance.
— Trump told me: I will be expecting you as one of my first visits. He said that his priority is to end this war. He will do it, — Zelensky claims.
As the President noted, the action plan must be consistent with Ukraine's vision, and further steps to end this war depend on negotiations, in particular with the Russian Federation.
What was the significance of the Kursk operation
According to Zelensky, the Kursk operation, carried out by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on Russian territory, is a trump card during all negotiations and was of great importance for the countries of the Global South.
— Kursk region is a very strong trump card in all negotiations. Especially with states that are very important to us, the countries of the Global South. It had a strong impact on them,— he claims.
Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
On the deployment of peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine
As the President noted, Ukraine supports the idea of deploying a European contingent. However, this means deploying not only ground forces, but also air and sea fleets.
According to him, such an idea was first voiced during a meeting between Zelensky and Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. He noted that Trump responded positively to this proposal.
However, 2-3 thousand peacekeeping troops are simply demonstrative and will not work to prevent the Russian Federation from invading Ukraine again, he is convinced.
Security guarantees for Ukraine and a fair peace
According to the President, Ukraine must have serious security guarantees. It will be easier for all countries to unite if the US position is strong around Ukraine, Zelensky believes.
According to him, Europeans pay close attention to the opinion of the US President.
He suggested that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is afraid of Donald Trump, so he is taking steps to ensure that voices from the Kremlin reach his administration.
— A fair world for us — is the understanding that we are in the EU, there are powerful and strong security guarantees. NATO — is the best option for us, — Zelensky is convinced.
How Donald Trump Can Stop the War
According to Zelensky, Trump can stop Putin or help Ukraine do so.
The main thing for Ukraine is that Trump is capable of being decisive in this war.
— Trump can stop Putin or help us stop him, — he claims.
Photo: Office of the President
The situation at the front and the reasons for the Russian advance
The situation in eastern Ukraine is very difficult, since Russia has deployed more troops there than in other areas. According to Zelensky, Moscow is concentrating the main brigades of the occupiers there.
At the same time, there were not enough reserves on the front lines, which resulted in insufficient rotations. That is why the Russians are trying to put pressure on the Ukrainian fighters, who are exhausted, the president explained.
— We will do everything to ensure that the front is stabilized in January. It is very difficult, — he said.
According to him, this puzzle depends on many details, but Ukraine expects certain supplies and a contingent that is currently training, as well as battalions that are arming themselves abroad.
On cases of unauthorized abandonment of units among Ukrainian military
In 2024, the number of cases of unauthorized abandonment of units by Ukrainian soldiers did increase. But since September or October, there have been fewer recorded cases of unauthorized abandonment, Zelensky noted.
— A long war. People stand and get tired everywhere, — he noted.
According to the president, the fatigue of Ukrainian soldiers affects the effectiveness of combat missions — that is why the number of rotations needs to be increased, but Ukraine has problems with staffing reserves.
Photo: Office of the President
What were Russia's plans in 2024
As Zelensky explained, the Ukrainian Defense Forces managed to disrupt three Russian operations that sought to occupy Kharkov, Sumy, and Zaporizhia. This is one of the main achievements of 2024.
He noted that this is the merit of Ukrainian soldiers, so the state managed to pass this serious test.
— This disruption (of Russia's plans, — Ed.) took place. I would like to thank the people in these cities first of all, — the president said.
Will there be elections during martial law
Elections in Ukraine can only be held after the end of the hot stage of the war and the lifting of martial law, Zelensky believes.
In his opinion, the elections will take place if Ukraine can do so in a strong position, leave a powerful army, receive a reliable weapons package and security guarantees.
Only under such conditions will it be possible to think about ending martial law in Ukraine, he explained.
Will Zelensky run for a second presidential term
The issue of the possibility of running for a second term as president of Ukraine is not a priority for Volodymyr Zelensky today.
— I don't know how this war will end. If I do more than I can, then I will look more positively. For me, this is not today's goal, — he said.
At the same time, the first lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenska noted that she would support any decision of her husband, but emphasized that she does not want to remain in this exhausting period all her life.
On the return of Ukrainians who left after the start of the war
According to the president, a large number of people want to return to Ukraine. Some of them talk about security, when this or that stage of hostilities ends, the war ends completely, or missiles stop flying all over the country.
— I am sure that most people will start to return, Zelensky believes.
According to him, after the end of martial law, Ukraine will spend money primarily on restoration. He is convinced that people will come for work.
There are also separate programs that have been developed, but peacetime is needed to implement them, the head of state explained.
