Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is apprehensive about the prospect of his army returning home, fearing the end of the war without a victory. In comments to reporters, Zelensky emphasized that Putin’s reluctance to conclude the conflict stems from a deep-seated fear of his military’s morale and the potential consequences of a withdrawal.
According to Zelensky, Putin’s primary concern is that without specific security guarantees, he may be compelled to continue the war, potentially targeting new regions. The Ukrainian leader stated, “Putin fears the return of his army home. Therefore, he is terrified of the end of the war without victory. There will be no victory.” He further claimed that Putin intends to remain in power until his death, with the ultimate goal of reinstating the Soviet Union, a task he believes cannot be accomplished without Ukraine.
Zelensky also reflected on his recent meetings in Europe, noting that all partners are confident in their collective ability to counter Putin’s ambitions. He remarked, “The main conclusions from all partners are that Ukraine is strong, and everyone recognizes this. Putin does not wish to stop, and all his claims about wanting peace are lies. All partners, all Europeans feel this, but they are confident that together we will stop him. The key is together, and we will stop him.”
In a related development, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently stated that Putin has reached a deadlock in the war against Ukraine, which is inflicting increasing damage on Russia itself. This assessment aligns with Zelensky’s previous comments, where he indicated that following Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure, there is a growing sentiment among Russians for an end to the conflict, particularly as they observe the lack of military success.
Moreover, Zelensky highlighted that over half of the Russian population desires an end to the war, recognizing that Russia is not achieving its objectives on the battlefield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has articulated concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's fears regarding military withdrawal and the ongoing conflict. He emphasized a collective European resolve to counter Putin's ambitions while noting a growing desire among Russians for peace as military setbacks continue.
Source: РБК-Україна