Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already started World War Three, insisting that only sustained military and economic pressure can force Moscow to retreat. He firmly rejected any ceasefire deal that would require Ukraine to cede territory, ahead of the four-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In an interview with the BBC at the heavily guarded government headquarters in Kyiv, Zelensky said Moscow’s demands to withdraw from eastern Donetsk and parts of the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would fracture Ukrainian society and abandon hundreds of thousands of citizens.
“I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him... Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves,” Zelensky said.
He emphasized that a temporary pause gained through concessions would allow Russia to regroup and resume hostilities. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s goal of eventually restoring its internationally recognized 1991 borders, while noting that immediate efforts to retake all occupied territory could result in unacceptable civilian and military casualties.
“Returning to the just borders of 1991 without a doubt is not only a victory, it’s justice,” he said, referring to Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The conflict has entered its fourth year, with Russia continuing a slow, grinding offensive along a 1,200-kilometer frontline. Ukrainian forces have recaptured significant territory, including the Kherson region in 2022, but advances have slowed in the face of entrenched Russian positions and continued attacks on energy infrastructure.
Russian drone and missile strikes continue to target Ukrainian cities, including recent attacks on southern Odesa that caused fires and casualties. Ukraine’s air defence has intercepted most incoming drones and missiles, but damage and disruption persist.
Zelensky highlighted Ukraine’s dependence on international partners for military aid and technology. The country has yet to receive approval to produce US-made systems such as Patriot air defence missiles under licence, which he said is critical to strengthen national defence.
He also addressed Western pressures, including past US calls for territorial concessions. He said that credible security guarantees must be in place before Ukraine could consider holding elections, given martial law, millions of refugees abroad, and parts of the country still occupied by Russia.
“Ukraine is not losing the war. We are fighting for our independence,” he said. “To do it today would mean losing a huge number of people – millions – because the [Russian] army is large, and we understand the cost of such steps."
Zelensky’s leadership has faced enormous challenges since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. He survived multiple assassination plots, corruption scandals that toppled his closest advisers, and internal political disputes, including the dismissal of former military chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Despite these pressures, Zelensky remains a popular leader at home, consistently maintaining approval ratings above 50 percent.
Known for his direct communication style, Zelensky often addresses Ukrainians through video messages, bypassing formalities to rally public support. His ability to combine wartime leadership with public engagement has been credited with keeping Ukrainian morale high, even during periods of military stalemate.
Looking ahead, Zelensky said Ukraine is pursuing parallel military, diplomatic, and economic strategies to force Russia to step back. He stressed that preventing Putin from occupying Ukraine is “a victory for the whole world,” and said Ukraine will continue pursuing parallel diplomatic, military, and economic strategies to maintain pressure on Russia.
Source:
Bowen, Jeremy. "Zelensky tells BBC Putin has started WW3 and must be stopped." BBC News, February 23, 2026.