Zelenskyy Warns Of Third World War If Negotiations With Russia Fail

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned during a television interview Sunday that the likelihood of the third world war is high should peace talks with Russia fail.

“I think that we have to use any format, any chance in order to have a possibility of negotiating, possibility of talking to Putin. But if these attempts fail, that would mean that this is a third World War” Zelenskyy said during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. “If there is just 1 percent chance for us to stop this war, I think that we need to take this chance, we need to do that,” he added.

Zelenskyy said the war is not likely to end without negotiations. “I am ready for negotiations with him. I was ready over the last two years, and I think that without negotiations, we cannot end this war,” Zelenskyy said.

While Zelenskyy said he was ready for negotiations he also said he would not be willing to give up territory or Ukrainian sovereignty during potential negotiations. He told Zakaria he believes Russia would never have invaded if Ukraine were a NATO member.

“There are compromises for which we cannot be ready as an independent state. Any compromises related to our territorial integrity and our sovereignty and the Ukrainian people have spoken about it — they have not greeted Russian soldiers with a bunch of flowers, they have greeted them with bravery, they have greeted them with weapons in their hands,” Zelenskyy stated.

“I’d like to receive security guarantees for my country, for my people. If NATO members are ready to see us in the alliance, then do it immediately. Because people are dying on a daily basis,” Zelenskyy declared concerning Ukraine’s NATO membership.

Since the invasion began on Feb. 24, Russia has launched over 1,000 missiles, according to a senior U.S. Defense official, with some speculating that Putin may be considering the use of chemical or nuclear weapons against Ukraine.