Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning: if Ukraine and its allies fail to stand firm against Russian aggression, the war could spiral into a global conflict. Speaking to 60 Minutes in his hometown of Kryvyi Rih, just days after a Russian missile strike killed 19 civilians—nine of them children—Zelenskyy underscored the urgent need for continued international support.
“At this point in the war, the security of the entire world is at stake,” Zelenskyy said. “If we do not stand firm, Putin will advance further. This is not just speculation—the threat is real.”
Zelenskyy believes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders. “Putin wants to rebuild the Russian Empire and reclaim territories that are now under NATO protection. If he is not stopped, it could escalate into a world war. There won’t be a safe place left for anyone.”
Standing at the site of the destroyed playground where nine children died, Zelenskyy laid a memorial and spoke candidly to correspondent Scott Pelley. “This attack shows why we cannot trust Russia. We cannot trust negotiations with them.”
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the toll has been devastating. According to Ukrainian data:
Over 1,700 schools have been targeted
780 medical facilities attacked
13,000 civilians killed
More than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives
“Our people are paying the highest price imaginable,” Zelenskyy said. “We have given everything—our money, our lives. And we continue to fight.”
Zelenskyy’s frustration is heightened by recent developments in U.S. politics. In February, former President Donald Trump resumed negotiations with Russia—reportedly without initially involving Ukraine. Trump also made controversial remarks, calling Zelenskyy “a dictator without elections” and accusing Ukraine of starting the war.
“I am saddened to see Russian propaganda narratives taking hold in the U.S.,” Zelenskyy said. “How can anyone witness our suffering and still believe Russia is not the aggressor? This shows just how powerful Russia’s information war has become—even in America.”
Earlier this year, Zelenskyy visited Washington for a meeting with Trump, where he says the former president drew false equivalence between Ukrainian and Russian casualties. Trump has promised to end the war quickly, but ceasefire promises from his administration have yet to materialize.
On Friday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow, in what the White House described as “another step toward a ceasefire and a lasting peace agreement.”
Despite his frustrations, Zelenskyy extended an open invitation to Trump, urging him to visit Ukraine and see the reality of the war firsthand.
“We respect your position,” Zelenskyy said in English. “But please, before making decisions or forming plans for negotiations, come and see the people—see the civilians, the soldiers, the hospitals, the churches, the children. Come, look, and then let’s talk about how to end this war. Only then will you truly understand what Putin has done