Zelensky’s urgent warning about Putin as he scrambles to earn support | World | News

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Vladimir Putin will attack Europe if Russia defeats his country.

The Ukrainian leader suggested Russia has to be defeated on the battlefield before there can be talk of a peace deal with the Kremlin.

His remarks come amid calls by some to appease Russia despite Putin’s threat to the international order and vow to erase Ukraine from the map.

Mr Zelensky told US broadcaster NBC: « Russia must leave our territory. After that the world can switch to diplomacy. And our Peace Formula provides a good opportunity for that.

« What is the alternative? To give Putin the possibility to kill all of us? To destroy our nation and all that we have?

« This is not only a matter of Ukraine. This is a matter of security in Europe. The matter of NATO unity. Because after Ukraine, Russia will attack NATO countries. »

After Russia launched its full scale war on Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland joined the queue for membership of the NATO military alliance.

A Chatham House report published in June said the only way to safeguard security in Europe is for Ukraine to win a resounding victory over Russia.

Its authors called for a redoubling of Western military support « before it is too late ».

Mr Zelensky told NBC: « We have to be strong. I believe European countries and the United States believe in our power, our humanity, our attitude toward people and democracy.

« The alternative is to give a pass to autocrats, give a chance to tyranny, give them the opportunity to destroy democracy and the world.

« I don’t see any alternative to Ukrainian victory. And I do believe in the unity of the world and its support for Ukraine and democracy. »

The Ukrainian president’s comments come as the Russian military on Sunday (November 5) reported the successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads from a new nuclear submarine.

Russia‘s Defence Ministry said in a statement the Imperator Alexander III strategic missile cruiser fired the Bulava missile from an underwater position in the White Sea.

It hit a target in the far-eastern region of Kamchatka, though it wasn’t immediately clear from the statement when the test launch happened.

News of the launch came after Putin signed a bill last week revoking Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban in a move that Moscow said was needed to establish parity with the United States.

Meanwhile, Kyiv said on Monday (November 6) Ukrainian forces continue to attack Russian troops around Bakhmut in a bid to secure a foothold in recaptured areas.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement posted on social media that the Russians tried to regain lost ground near Klishchiivka and Andriivka where Ukrainian troops repelled five attacks.

Clashes were also seen in Bohdanivka, Khromove and Pivdenne, according to the Facebook post.

The Governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yurii Malashko, said nine people were wounded in a Russian rocket strike on the village of Zarichne at the weekend. He added that overall, 26 cities and settlements in the region had come under attack on Saturday alone.

In the Kherson region, five people were wounded, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin, who said attacks in the region came from artillery, mortars, drones, warplanes and tanks.