Podcast Summary: The Interview – Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine: "We will not lose this war"
BBC World Service – February 27, 2026
Host/Interviewer: Jeremy Bowen and BBC Journalist
Guest: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine
Overview
In this episode of "The Interview," BBC's Jeremy Bowen and a BBC journalist speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a government building in Kyiv, nearly four years after the Russian invasion began. The discussion delves into President Zelenskyy's perspective on the ongoing war, Ukraine's chances of victory, the international community's response, and the path towards a ceasefire. Zelenskyy articulates his defiance, concerns, and hopes for Ukraine, reflecting the complex realities of a war with no end yet in sight.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Framing the Conflict: "World War Three has Already Begun"
[02:49] – [03:23]
- Zelenskyy insists Russia’s invasion represents the start of a Third World War, with Ukraine acting as the world’s frontline in preventing its spread.
- Quote: “Putin has already started it... we are preventing it from becoming a broad, full scale third world war. Today, we are the outposts stopping Putin.” – Zelenskyy [02:49]
2. Defiance and the Meaning of Victory
[03:42] – [06:21]
- Zelenskyy rejects the notion that Ukraine cannot win, emphasizing continued Ukrainian independence and daily life despite war conditions.
- Quote: “Will we lose? Of course not. We are fighting for Ukraine's independence, and today we are an independent Ukraine.” – Zelenskyy [04:06]
- On victory: For most, it’s about returning prisoners and restoring homes. For broader justice, it means the return of all occupied territories, but “victory is the preservation of our independence.” [04:39–06:21]
- Quote: “What is land without people? Honestly, nothing.” – Zelenskyy [05:52]
3. Ceasefire and Diplomatic Efforts
[06:21] – [08:18]
- Zelenskyy reaffirms that fighting must continue until a ceasefire, which he views as primarily valuable for reducing human losses.
- Ukraine faces ongoing vulnerability due to dependency on foreign weapons, particularly air defense systems.
- Quote: “Protecting the sky, even partially... If civilians are protected, we have a covered back. People work, children go to school, the economy functions...” – Zelenskyy [07:43]
4. Nuclear Risks and US Policy
[08:18] – [10:00]
- Zelenskyy draws little distinction between Biden’s and Trump’s views on Russian nuclear threats—US policy aims for de-escalation, sometimes slowing Ukrainian operations.
- On nuclear weapons: “The use of nuclear weapons depends solely on Putin.” – Zelenskyy [09:29]
5. Contested Ceasefire Proposals & Territorial Concessions
[10:00] – [11:47]
- Ceasefire offers have involved Ukraine giving up significant territory; Zelenskyy refuses, emphasizing responsibility to people in occupied regions and warning that concessions would only embolden further Russian aggression.
- Quote: “Why shouldn't Russia return our lands instead?... I see it as abandoning... hundreds of thousands of our people who live there.” – Zelenskyy [10:26–10:47]
- On whether concessions would satisfy Putin: “For a while. For some time it would probably satisfy him... He could recover in a couple of years, no more. Where would he go next? We don't know, but that he would want to continue is a fact.” – Zelenskyy [11:47]
6. Changing American Leadership: Trump vs. Biden
[14:50] – [16:04]
- Zelenskyy says he’s open to talks with Trump and Putin, but asserts that only direct pressure will bring Putin to the table.
- Quote: “We are ready for negotiations at the leaders level with Trump and with Putin. I'm convinced that Putin needs to be pressured.” – Zelenskyy [15:06]
- Points out institutional differences: Ukraine’s democracy vs. Russia’s singular leadership.
7. Sanctions and Economic Pressure
[16:04] – [19:41]
- Discussion about whether US (and Trump in particular) would pursue stronger sanctions after a ceasefire, and concerns that Ukrainian interests may be sidelined in US-Russia negotiations.
- Zelenskyy affirms the importance of dignity and freedom for Ukraine, resisting any arrangement made above Ukrainian heads.
- Quote: “For us, not losing our dignity is extremely important. Honestly, I believe that this sense of freedom and dignity is why we endured.” – Zelenskyy [16:54]
- When asked about the US pushing for resumption of business with Russia: “We really wanted all of them to sanction Russia. We wanted them all to put some pressure on Russia because they're the aggressor.” – Zelenskyy [18:56]
8. The Trustworthiness of Security Guarantees
[20:13] – [21:26]
- On Trump’s claims: “I'm not a dictator. I didn't start the war. That's it.” – Zelenskyy [20:25]
- Security guarantees must come from US institutions, not just presidents, and Europe should also be involved as a guarantor.
- Putin resists European involvement in security arrangements; Zelenskyy argues US guarantees are strongest.
- Quote: “Congress is needed because the presidents change, but institutions stay.” – Zelenskyy [20:41]
9. European Support and Needs
[21:26] – [23:10]
- Zelenskyy expresses gratitude for European financial support, especially for air defense, but says more help is needed—especially for converting Ukraine’s military to a contract-based model, like Russia’s.
- Some European countries provide ample aid; others have blocked help.
10. Leadership, Morale, and Endurance
[23:42] – [25:05]
- Reflecting on the war’s personal toll and his resolve: “The energy remains. It can't be any other way, because we are fighting for justice... We are definitely right 100%... We don't know how this war will end, but for now, we're not losing.” – Zelenskyy [23:42]
- On negotiating an end to the war: “We are ready to sit down for negotiations with their leader. Not just anyone. This is Putin. We are ready to negotiate an end to the war. That is where the energy comes from.” – Zelenskyy [24:38]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Global Threats
- “Putin has already started [World War Three]... we are preventing it from becoming a broad, full scale third world war.” [02:49]
On Daily Life and Independence
- “Life goes on... There are strikes, there are air raid alerts, there are bomb shelters. But life goes on. People work. Children go to school... Nevertheless, we have life. That means we have a state and we have independence.” [03:42]
On Ukrainian Defiance
- “We're not calling this fight a special operation, to be honest, or any other operation. We have a war for survival. We want them to leave us alone... we are not going to forgive them.” [24:08]
On US-Russia Negotiations
- “Russia and America cannot decide how to end the war here in Ukraine, without Ukraine, they cannot.” [16:54]
Important Timestamps
- [02:49] Zelenskyy frames the war as the front line of World War Three.
- [04:06] Zelenskyy asserts Ukraine will not lose.
- [05:52] Emphasis on ‘land without people is nothing.’
- [07:43] Critical need for air defense; economic survival intertwined with civilian safety.
- [09:29] The nuclear threat’s dependence on Putin, not just US policy.
- [10:26–10:47] On the price and consequences of territorial concessions.
- [11:47] Explanation that giving up territory would not satisfy Putin for long.
- [15:06] Readiness for negotiations with Trump and Putin.
- [16:54] Dignity and the importance of Ukraine’s voice in any agreements.
- [20:25] Zelenskyy dismisses Trump’s accusation of dictatorship.
- [23:42] On energy and leadership after four years of war.
- [24:38] Zelenskyy’s willingness to negotiate with Putin directly.
Tone and Language
Zelenskyy’s tone is resolute, candid, and frequently emotional. He avoids diplomatic euphemisms, grounding his answers in the lived experience of war and a sense of justice. The discussion is somber but defiant, with regular appeals to both logic (“What is land without people?”) and moral rightness (“Truth is on our side... we are definitely right 100%.”). The host’s questions are direct and at times challenging, pushing Zelenskyy to clarify positions on contentious issues such as Western support, territorial concessions, and negotiating with Russia.