'Beast' Putin 'will develop taste' for war beyond Ukraine border if tyrant is allowed to claim victory, warns Zelensky | The Sun
VOLODYMYR Zelensky has warned that Putin "will develop a taste" for war far beyond the Ukraine border if he is allowed to claim victory.
The Ukrainian President called on world leaders to unite against Russia ahead of his counteroffensive – while reminding them they could be fending off an invasion next.
He reiterated his earlier appeals for international aid while delivering a sobering caution to other countries regarding Putin's post-war plans.
Although grateful for weapons support from the West, Zelensky expressed his frustration that some were drip-feeding Ukraine.
He explained he didn't understand why allies were not providing more advanced artillery that could help Ukraine defeat Russia.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he insisted he "strongly believes" that his forces will triumph – but they need help fast.
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If his battered nation cannot withstand Putin's push forward, Zelensky warned "that animal, that beast will develop a taste" for power and domination that won't stop at Ukraine's door.
"Let’s not compare who should be grateful to whom," he said.
Leaked spy docs showed that the Russian tyrant believed Western leaders would be falling at his feet and that Nato would disintegrate after he invaded Ukraine.
Putin had his eyes set on a lightning victory that would topple his global rivals and leave them begging for mercy.
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But his war has been littered with blunders, proving he vastly underestimated the strength of Ukraine's defence.
Zelensky urged Nato to offer up a concrete path to membership and security guarantees, while suggesting some members were reluctant to offer support due to fear of Russian retaliation.
He also pleaded with countries such as China, India and Brazil to try and pump the brakes on Putin's plan for world domination.
The Ukrainian leader said he is trying to convene a summit around his 10-point peace plan, which would force Russian troops to withdraw.
He believes Putin has to be given the cold shoulder by nations who have stayed sat on the fence for him to realise his war is unjust.
"Putin has to know that people won’t shake his hand, that he no longer sits at the table with serious countries, that Russia is not part of international organizations," Zelensky said.
He then touched on Vlad's concerningly close relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who has tried to broker a peace deal.
If you are big, this is what national greatness means. This is not a painting or a museum; it is a real, bloody war.
Zelensky said he would take heed of China's views but refused to agree to any proposal that involves giving up Ukrainian territory.
He revealed he had urged Xi not to supply Russia with weapons or any fearsome technologies in April, who told him he was not.
Ukraine believes China could be helpful in peace talks thanks to its global standing – but hinted he wants them to do more.
"I would not want such a country to stand by and watch people die," Zelensky continued.
"If you are big, this is what national greatness means. This is not a painting or a museum; it is a real, bloody war."
He explained his forces are ready to launch an explosive counteroffensive to take back swathes of Russian occupied territory.
But he admitted Russian air superiority on the battlefield means "a large number of soldiers will die".
Ukraine urgently needs more defence systems – such as the American-made Patriot – to have a chance of shielding soldiers from rockets.
But Zelensky's troops and "stronger and more motivated" than Putin's depleted forces trying desperately to hold on.
With or without more Western weapon aid, the President promised a sensational counteroffensive to squash Putin's invasion.
"We would like to have certain things, but we can’t wait for months," he said.
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