Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal in the war extends far beyond seizing additional Ukrainian territory, adding that Moscow ultimately wants Ukraine to become part of Russia.
Speaking to CBC News in an interview, he said Ukraine could accept a ceasefire along the current line of contact if Russia agreed to halt fighting without conditions and the conflict then moved to diplomacy.
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“We are ready for this,” Zelensky said, referring to a potential halt in fighting along the existing front line.
He said negotiations could then continue with the mediation of international partners, adding that a ceasefire without conditions would be preferable to continued fighting.
Zelensky rejects ‘win-win’ concept
Zelensky also rejected the idea that there could be a “win-win” outcome for Russia and Ukraine after the losses caused by the war.
“There is no win-win in this war,” he said, adding that the war ceased to be a situation in which both sides could benefit from the moment it began and caused human casualties.
Zelensky added the most important victory would be to end the war and protect human lives, rather than for either Ukraine or Russia to claim victory.
He acknowledged that he and US presidential envoy Jared Kushner had somewhat different views on the issue but said he was encouraged that Kushner and fellow envoy Steve Witkoff had traveled to Kyiv after multiple visits to Moscow.
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Zelensky said the envoys had asked Ukrainian officials not to publicly discuss some of their proposals while the two sides examined them in greater detail. He added that Ukraine was preparing for a meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York expected later in September.
‘He needs Ukraine’
The Ukrainian president pushed back against the idea that Putin could be satisfied by obtaining a specific portion of Ukrainian territory.
Asked about Kushner’s comments that territory remained a key sticking point and that Putin had outlined the territorial line he wanted, Zelensky said the issue was not simply about “some kilometers” of land.
“The problem is that we have to change Putin’s mind,” Zelensky said.
He argued that it made little sense to suggest Putin needed only a particular part of Ukraine, given that Russia already controls vast territory elsewhere.
“He needs Ukraine,” Zelensky said. “He needs Ukraine [to] be a part of Russia.”
Zelensky said this was why Ukraine could not simply accept a territorial concession as the basis for a lasting settlement.
He also addressed the prospect of meeting Putin directly, saying he was willing to sit across from his adversary if doing so could bring the parties closer to peace.
He acknowledged that such a meeting was not something he personally wanted, saying he would rather spend the time with his family.
“But he is an enemy, of course,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky said he would nevertheless meet Putin if negotiations could produce meaningful progress toward peace. He argued that he understood Putin’s objective and believed the Russian leader would continue trying to occupy Ukraine unless Ukraine remained strong and received credible security guarantees.
“He will not change his goal,” Zelensky said.
For Ukraine, he added, security guarantees would need to ensure that Russia could not simply resume its attempt to occupy the country after a ceasefire or peace agreement.
