Zelensky says there will be no winners in the war between Russia and Ukraine
In an interview with CBC News, Ukraine’s president said that after the enormous human losses of this war, there can no longer be a win-win scenario for Ukraine and Russia.
“The most important victory for everyone — not only Ukraine and Russia — is peace. To stop this war,” Zelensky said.
That marks a noticeable shift from his rhetoric in 2024, when he publicly said, “Putin cannot win. Ukrainians must win,” while Kyiv was promoting its “Victory Plan.”
In an exclusive interview with CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault, aired this week, Zelensky rejected the concept of a mutually beneficial peace deal being pushed by U.S. officials.
> "Between us, to be honest, there is no win-win in this war. It can't be so because of so many human losses. It stopped being win-win on the first day of this war. The most important victory for everybody — it's not for Ukraine and Russia, it's for everybody, for the world — is peace, to stop this war."
Verification: True
The interview is confirmed by CBC's The National and titled "Why Zelenskyy says there's no 'win-win' with Russia | Canadian exclusive." CBC's own description confirms Zelensky "rejects the U.S. concept of a 'win-win' resolution".
Kyiv Post and other outlets reported the same day that Zelensky said: "There is no win-win in this war," adding that the war ceased to be a situation in which both sides could benefit from the moment it began and caused human casualties.
According to IR-Press quoting http://Strana.ua, Zelensky added: "Between us, there can be no win-win in this war. Because of so many human losses, it stopped being about victory for both sides on the very first day".
This was a direct response to U.S. envoy Jared Kushner, who had promoted a win-win concept during his visit to Kyiv.
A Noticeable Shift From 2024
This marks a clear change from Zelensky's 2024 messaging.
Throughout 2024, Zelensky was promoting his "Victory Plan" and his line was unambiguous: "Putin cannot win. Ukrainians must win." The goal was full restoration of 1991 borders and NATO membership.
Now, Zelensky said Ukraine could accept a ceasefire along the current line of contact if Russia agreed to halt fighting without conditions.
> "We are ready for this," Zelensky said, referring to a potential halt in fighting along the existing front line.
He still warned about Putin's ultimate goal: that Moscow does not just want a few kilometers, but "He needs Ukraine to be a part of Russia."
What It Means
*1. From Victory to Survival:* Zelensky is reframing the war not as a contest to be won, but as a catastrophe to be stopped. The victory is redefined as saving human lives.
*2. Message to Washington:* By rejecting "win-win," Zelensky is pushing back on any deal that would let Russia claim victory while Ukraine is forced to concede land. After Bucha, Mariupol, and tens of thousands dead, he argues a deal that benefits Moscow is morally impossible.
*3. Opening for Ceasefire Talks:* His readiness for a front-line freeze, with diplomacy to follow under international mediation, signals Ukraine is open to a Korean-style armistice model, something Kyiv previously ruled out.
*Bottom Line:* Zelensky is not saying Ukraine has lost. He is saying that after this level of death and destruction, the old idea of winners and losers no longer applies. The only win left, in his words, is peace itself.Caption