“Putin will die soon – this is a fact, and everything will end”: Zelensky’s main statements in an interview for Eurovision News
On March 26, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arrived on a visit to France. In Paris, he held a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The purpose of their meeting was to prepare for the summit of the countries of the so-called “coalition of the willing”, which are ready to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. The summit is scheduled for March 27 and will take place in Paris.
During this visit, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also gave a large interview for public broadcasters within the platform Eurovision News, in which he outlined the key positions of Ukraine regarding negotiations, cooperation with the USA, information warfare, energy security, the role of international partners in the future peaceful settlement, as well as challenges in relations with the West.
The President of Ukraine confirmed that the ceasefire dialogue is conducted exclusively with the United States and not with Russia. He stated:
“We did not have negotiations with Russia, we had negotiations with the United States. To clarify: it is not because we are afraid, it seems to me that Russia is afraid of any dialogue and any negotiations.”
Commenting on the situation in the Black Sea, Zelensky noted that Ukraine controls the region and is in principle ready for a ceasefire, but Russia is trying to use this scenario to regain influence over the grain corridor. The President stated:
“The ceasefire in the Black Sea is important for the Russians. They have not controlled the corridor in the Black Sea for a long time. We are fighting for it, because it is a step towards the end of the war. But we control the situation there. Their fleet is either at the bottom or hidden.
They agreed, they were ready to go to a cease-fire on energy, if it is energy and the Black Sea. We were generally ready for a complete ceasefire, so okay with the Black Sea we agree. They just want to jump into control of the food corridor, they will not succeed, we are absolutely sure of that.”
Regarding Russia’s latest attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Zelensky noted:
“It is a complicated story with the monitoring of strikes. So far, the technical teams have not determined how it will be. But I will not lie, tonight there were no attacks on energy, there were strikes on other civilian infrastructure, more than a hundred drones. There were no strikes on energy at night. Ukraine was not responsible for energy either.”
Separately, he spoke about the American special representative Steve Witkoff, criticizing him for voicing messages that repeat Kremlin propaganda:
“Witkoff very often quotes Kremlin narratives.”
Zelenskyi responded to Witkoff’s criticism, noting:
“As for the gentleman who is commenting on this. He does not look like a military man. And he has no such experience. As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate. And this is a little different.”
Zelensky also emphasized the critical role of American intelligence in providing warnings about the launch of ballistic missiles.
“Without American intelligence, we cannot control the launch of ballistic missiles of the Russian Federation against our people. One hundred percent or ninety percent of the ballistics hit civilian infrastructure. Energy, schools, universities, churches, these are tens of thousands of missiles. And we do not see when it is necessary to give a signal to the civilian population that they should descend into bomb shelter. We never had access to it. That’s what I’ve been fighting for since the beginning of the war, it’s faster. But we’ve unlocked it, it’s our team’s success.”
Speaking about future security guarantees for Ukraine after the end of the war, Zelensky noted:
“We will believe that we will be able to convince other partners as well, and without a word Europe will be at the negotiating table regarding the end of this war.”
The president also expressed his hope that Donald Trump, in the event of his return to power, will maintain a tough position towards Putin:
“I would really like it if, now that Putin has given up on an unconditional ceasefire, President Trump would put a lot of pressure on him with sanctions. Not by removing them, but by strengthening them.”
Regarding the global impact of disinformation, Zelenskyi emphasized:
“Now the issue is not with President Trump or another leader, the issue is that Russian disinformation is very active in the Global South, on the African continent, it was definitely very widespread in Europe as well, but Europe… reacted faster than those countries that are far away. But we have to fight against disinformation”.
Separately, Zelenskyi emphasized the risk of losing the effect of Russia’s isolation at the international level:
“It is very important that now America does not help Putin get out of this global isolation. I believe that this is one of the most dangerous moments.”
The President of Ukraine also commented on the true nature of Putin’s fears, pointing out that he is more afraid of his own people than of NATO or the West:
“What Putin is afraid of is losing his power. It depends on the stability of society, but it also depends on his age. Putin will die soon, that’s a fact, and everything will be over. He may end before he ends his completely unsuccessful historical life. That’s what he’s afraid of. And being left alone.
He fears the unity of Europe and the United States. Therefore, today he is making the main attack on the division and weakening of this union, and I believe that in some directions he succeeded.”
Zelensky also warned that Putin is seeking to restore imperial control over the former republics of the USSR and is potentially preparing for conflict with the West:
“He wants to have the kind of influence that the Soviet Union had — to regain influence over all the republics. But these are already former republics, and now — independent countries. However, he wants a little more. And this can certainly lead, God forbid, to a direct confrontation with the West — and this sounds in the messages of his propagandists.”
The President confirmed that NATO membership remains the most reliable security guarantee for Ukraine, but the decision depends primarily on the United States:
“The best security guarantees for our state are NATO. And at the moment it depends exclusively on the United States of America. I even believe that the position of Germany, which previously was also against Ukraine’s accession to NATO, can change – and most likely will change. But, of course, everything depends on the USA. Imagine: not fragile, but real security guarantees for Ukraine are NATO itself. And imagine that today this decision depends on the United States, because the pro-Russian position of Hungary within NATO I am sure that there are already changes in Germany’s position: Germany will support Ukraine – I feel it and know it.”
“I think it’s in his hands,” Zelensky added, referring to Donald Trump.
If the accession to NATO is blocked, the alternative should be a full-fledged army with modern weapons, powerful air defense and equipped brigades.
“It is necessary … to equip the brigades that stand today as a fence against this aggression. Between Russia and the civilized world. These are the main things. And the contingent.”
In the context of cooperation with Germany, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the help, but called on Chancellor Friedrich Mertz to provide long-range weapons:
“He knows I really want it. I think this package will help us.”
In conclusion, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is not a burden for the Alliance, but, on the contrary, strengthens it:
“Ukraine strengthens NATO. NATO does not strengthen Ukraine. NATO provides security to Ukrainians – and this is an important signal for everyone. … The Russians, if you look at their army, have 1.3 million. And they are increasing it to 1.5-1.6 million. Without Ukraine, today in Europe there is no modern, experienced army that has gone through a war on such a scale as the Russian army. That is the point.”
