Portrait of Volodymyr Zelenskyy
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Russia

Unyielding defender (strong)

TL;DR

Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly views Russia as an unprovoked aggressor whose full-scale invasion must be resolutely resisted for Ukrainian sovereignty.

Key Points

  • He stated on the four-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion that President Putin has not won this war. [2024-02-24]

  • He affirmed that Ukraine stands with the European Parliament, which strongly supports Ukraine four years into the full-scale invasion. [2024-02]

  • He expressed that Russia may want to 'heal' from the war, but that healing can only begin after the complete withdrawal of Russian troops. [No date available]

Summary

Volodymyr Zelenskyy maintains an unyielding position that Russia is the aggressor responsible for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a stance he has consistently held since the escalation in February 2022. He consistently emphasizes that Russia has not won the war and that the ultimate goal is the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. His core message centers on the necessity of continued international support to repel the invasion and hold the Russian leadership accountable for its actions.

The Ukrainian president's stance has evolved primarily in his calls for specific military aid and the urgency of action, rather than a change in his fundamental assessment of the conflict. He frames the defense of Ukraine as a defense of European democratic values against tyranny, often referencing the anniversary of the invasion to reiterate that Ukrainian resistance has shattered Russian assumptions of a swift victory. His public communications regularly highlight Ukrainian resilience and demand robust global solidarity to ensure Russia's aggression ultimately fails.

Key Quotes

we never chose this war, we did not provoke it and we are doing everything we can to stop it

Frequently Asked Questions

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's current position is that of firm resistance against Russia's unprovoked, full-scale aggression. He insists that true peace and any possibility of 'healing' can only commence after a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from all sovereign Ukrainian territory.

The fundamental stance of Volodymyr Zelenskyy—viewing Russia as the aggressor whose invasion must be defeated—has remained constant. His position has evolved in terms of specific demands for military aid and the urgency of international action, but not in core principles.

He has publicly stated that President Putin has not won the war, particularly marking anniversaries of the conflict. Volodymyr Zelenskyy consistently projects Ukrainian resolve, asserting that Russia's initial objectives have failed due to strong Ukrainian defense.