Ukrainians Are Exhausted, But We Can't Surrender': Zelenskyy On Four Years Of War With Russia

Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 07:53 IST

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainians are exhausted after nearly four years of war but cannot concede to Russia, warning that surrender would mean losing the country entirely.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukrainians are exhausted after nearly four years of war with Russia, but made clear that conceding to Moscow’s demands is not an option, stressing that any compromise that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty would mean losing the country entirely.

Speaking in an interview with CNN on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy acknowledged the deep fatigue felt across Ukrainian society as the conflict enters its fifth year.

However, he underlined that war weariness cannot translate into surrender.

Zelenskyy repeatedly framed the conflict as a fight for survival against Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that yielding territory or accepting imposed terms would have irreversible consequences for Ukraine and its people.

“They have to stay with a democratic country which is fighting against one person. Because this person is a war. Putin is a war. It’s all about himself. It’s all about one person. And the country, all his country is in prison," Zelenskyy told CNN, urging continued international support, particularly from the United States.

Appealing directly to US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy said Washington’s role remains critical in countering Russia’s aggression.

“If they really want to stop Putin, America’s so strong," he said.

Asked whether Trump was applying enough pressure on Moscow, Zelenskyy replied, “No."

The Ukrainian President emphasised that despite exhaustion among civilians and soldiers alike, accepting Russia’s demands would amount to capitulation.

“We can’t just give him everything he wants. Because he wants to occupy us. If we give him all he wants, we will lose everything, all of us, people will have to run away or be Russian," he said.

SECURITY GUARANTEES AND PEACE TALKS REMAIN STUCK

Zelenskyy said ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States have yet to produce a breakthrough, largely due to disagreements over future security guarantees.

He said assurances offered so far lack clarity about how allies would respond if Russia launched another invasion.

“I want a very specific answer, what partners will be ready to do if Putin comes again. This is what Ukrainians want to hear," he told CNN.

According to Zelenskyy, there is also disagreement over how a potential peace settlement should proceed.

While Trump favours signing a comprehensive agreement covering peace and security guarantees simultaneously, Kyiv insists that binding guarantees must first be approved by the US Congress to reassure Ukrainians that allies will stand by them in the future.

Addressing battlefield realities, Zelenskyy said Ukraine could consider freezing the war along existing front lines but firmly rejected withdrawing troops from Ukrainian-held areas in the eastern Donetsk region.

“Russia wants (us) just to withdraw our army. We can’t be such, sorry, foolish guys. We are not children. We went through this war, during all these years, and so we just, we can’t give them the country on (a) plate," he said.

Highlighting the human dimension of territorial decisions, Zelenskyy added, “For people who live there, it’s very important what security they will have, 200,000 people live there. What do I have to say (to them), ‘Okay, bye-bye. We go away. You are Russian from this moment?'"

He also addressed criticism regarding postponed elections, noting that martial law prohibits voting during wartime.

“What do they want? Another president?" Zelenskyy said, adding that Trump had not personally told him whether he wanted a leadership change in Ukraine.

‘PUTIN HAS ALREADY STARTED WORLD WAR III’: ZELENSKYY

Separately, Zelenskyy wrote on X that he believes Russia’s invasion has effectively triggered the beginning of a wider global conflict.

“There are different views on World War III. I believe Putin has already started it," Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine is acting as an “outpost" preventing the war from expanding further.

He stressed that strengthening air defence remains one of Kyiv’s most urgent priorities and expressed disappointment that international partners have not granted licences allowing Ukraine to produce advanced systems domestically.

“Air defence is the most challenging issue today," Zelenskyy said, referring to the need for capabilities such as missiles for US-made Patriot systems.

Calling for stronger support, he added that protecting Ukrainian airspace would allow civilians to live safely and help stabilise the economy.

“If civilians are protected, our rear is secured, people are working, children are in school, the economy is functioning," he said.

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