After 1,080 days of Russia’s seemingly endless war in Ukraine, the arrival of a new U.S. president brings the first glimmers of hope that the conflict might come to an end.
In an interview with ITV News, Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stark warning to Donald Trump, cautioning that Putin is laying a trap—a so-called "frozen conflict"—that the United States must avoid falling into.
The U.S. support has been a aid to the Ukranian forces, but will it come to an end with Trump at the helm?
A Ceasefire Would Mean Respite for the Russian Army
Zelensky emphasized that such a frozen conflict would only pave the way for Vladimir Putin’s army to return to Ukraine with renewed aggression, according to the Daily Mail. Speaking from Kyiv, the Ukrainian president told ITV News that any attempt to halt the war without firm security guarantees would merely embolden the Russian leader to return and seize what remains of Ukraine.
In his first major interview with a British television network since Trump’s return to the White House, Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine's future cannot be decided without its consent.
"A frozen conflict will only lead to Putin coming back with even more aggression. And then, who will be rewarded? Who will be remembered in history as the victor? No one," Zelensky stated.
"This would be a loss for absolutely everyone—both for us and for Trump. He must not only end the war but also ensure that Putin has no chance of returning with another war against us. I believe that is the most important part. Everyone must acknowledge this. That would be a true victory."
This warning comes amid reports of wounded Russian soldiers continuing to fight while wearing protective gear and using crutches for support, as it was revealed that over 1,000 of Putin’s troops are being killed daily.
Zelensky also addressed concerns over how a potential Trump presidency could impact support for Ukraine. While Joe Biden has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, Trump has suggested he might take a different approach—one that could include imposing taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russia to force an end to the war.
However, the Ukrainian president cautioned that any fracture in the relationship between Washington and Kyiv would only benefit the Kremlin.
He highlighted Ukraine's increasing cross-border operations into Russian territory, including attacks in the Kursk region.
In January alone, Russian casualties are believed to have reached 48,000 dead, wounded, or missing—making it the second deadliest month of the war since Putin’s full-scale invasion nearly three years ago. Meanwhile, North Korean forces deployed to support Russia’s war effort are also suffering heavy losses, according to the latest battlefield reports.
Despite Russia’s relentless push, Ukraine’s military has managed to slow its advance. Reports indicate that Putin’s forces gained only about 120 miles (193 km) of territory in January—significantly less than in December. At the same time, Kyiv has intensified long-range strikes inside Russia, targeting military installations hundreds of kilometers behind enemy lines in an effort to weaken Putin’s war machine.
The brutal conflict has already left 837,000 Russian soldiers dead or wounded. Reports indicate that Moscow, facing a severe shortage of combat-ready troops, has been sending patched-up, disabled soldiers back to the front lines on crutches.
Ukraine continues to hold positions within Russian territory, particularly in the Kursk and western Belgorod regions. Meanwhile, North Korean troops deployed to aid Russia are being decimated in fierce battles.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding America’s political future, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the continued support from the UK, the EU, and the U.S.
