
Zelensky tells BBC Putin has started WW3 and must be stopped
Ukraine's president sat down with the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Kyiv days before the four-year anniversary of the war.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him..."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"Of course not, because we are fighting for Ukraine's independence."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him..."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"Where are you now? Today you are in Kyiv, you are in the capital of our homeland, you are in Ukraine."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"I believe that stopping Putin today and preventing him from occupying Ukraine is a victory for the whole world."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"Putin has started WW3 and must be stopped."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him..."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"It is only a matter of time until Ukraine reclaims all its lost land."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"This country, under this leadership, is currently at the lowest point of utter barbarity."
— Friedrich Merz , Politician
"I don’t see it simply as land. I see it as abandonment — the weakening of our positions, the abandonment of hundreds of thousands of people who live there."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"Victory Is Stopping Putin"
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"I believe that Putin has already started it. The question now is how much territory he will be able to seize, and how to stop him."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"My impression is that Chancellor Scholz has understood that Putin is not just a name, but a threat, and not just a threat to Ukraine."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"If we don't hold out, Russia will move closer to Germany."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"If Russia hits this or that NATO country, it would in any case mean the beginning of the third world war."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
Key People
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
German Chancellor.
Current U.S. President who has criticized Netanyahu's actions.
Senator from South Carolina and chair of the Senate Budget Committee.
Chancellor of Germany involved in discussions about military support for Ukraine.
Radosław Sikorski is the Foreign Minister of Poland.
Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia.
President of Ukraine who attended a summit in Yerevan.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine, known for his efforts to secure international support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Tags
All Coverage
Ukraine's president sat down with the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Kyiv days before the four-year anniversary of the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the ongoing conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the global threat posed by Russia's actions and the necessity to halt Putin's aggression to prevent further escalation.
In an interview with the BBC's Jeremy Bowen, Ukrainian President Zelensky highlighted the urgency of stopping Russian President Putin to prevent a global conflict, emphasizing the broader implications of the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly, warning of a global arms race fueled by artificial intelligence and urging international action to prevent further escalation of the conflict with Russia.
Ahead of the four-year anniversary of Russia's invasion, Ukrainian President Zelensky warned that Putin has already initiated World War III and must be stopped. He also discussed the challenges of holding elections during wartime and the need for robust security guarantees.
In an interview with the BBC, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that Putin has already initiated World War III and emphasized that Ukraine will not surrender territory for a ceasefire. He also discussed the need for long-term U.S. security guarantees before elections.
Ukrainian President Zelensky believes that Putin has already started World War Three and that the task now is to prevent it from becoming full-scale. He emphasized the need for strong military and economic pressure on Moscow.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned that if Ukraine cannot defeat Russia, the conflict would escalate into a third world war, urging for stronger military support from Western countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already initiated World War III and emphasized the need to prevent further escalation. He also rejected any ceasefire agreements that would involve territorial concessions to Russia.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
'Time for Ukraine to get new president,' says Trump after Zelensky condemns diesel deal
Ukraine's leader had said the deal with Russia to release diesel into the US would help Moscow fund the war.
October 10, 2026 at 06:36 PMTrump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a gift to Putin
Ukraine's president sharply criticised the move, calling it an "investment in war that must be ended, not prolonged".
October 10, 2026 at 12:45 AMUkraine's Zelenskiy says intelligence shows Russia is preparing massive attack - Reuters
Ukraine's Zelenskiy says intelligence shows Russia is preparing massive attack Reuters
October 6, 2026 at 05:53 PMSuspect linked to Monaco bomb attack on millionaire breaks silence to BBC
Vitalii Zhykovych gives his own account of the attempted assassination of Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolayev.
October 8, 2026 at 11:11 PMFleeing Kyiv for the countryside ahead of winter
A Kyiv resident told the BBC she has moved away from "everything that can be a Russian target" as Ukraine braces for another cold winter under intense attacks.
October 9, 2026 at 10:00 AMZelensky condemns 'vile' large-scale Russian attacks that killed 15
Rescue workers are continuing a search for residents after an apartment building in Pryluky was destroyed.
October 7, 2026 at 11:05 AM