Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave an exclusive interview to The Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Emma Tucker during the UN General Assembly in New York. The conversation focused on a possible ceasefire, Ukraine’s preparations for winter, negotiations with Russia, US military assistance, the development of defence technologies and the president’s personal experience during nearly five years of war.
This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, which published an exclusive interview with Volodymyr Zelenskyy conducted by the publication’s editor-in-chief Emma Tucker.
Meeting with Trump: “we discussed the main things”
According to Zelenskyy, during his meeting with US President Donald Trump, the sides discussed key issues needed to bring peace closer, including a winter military aid package, protecting the Ukrainian population, energy issues, a ceasefire and food security.
The president said the difficulty of such talks lies in the need to conduct diplomatic work while simultaneously responding to attacks against Ukraine.
“It is very difficult to speak when you know that at this moment there is an attack on your native country,” Zelenskyy said.
Attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and a possible ceasefire
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is not abandoning strikes against Russian energy facilities, viewing them as a response to Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy system.
According to him, if Russia stops strikes on energy infrastructure, Ukraine is also ready to take such a step.
The president described an “energy ceasefire” as a possible way toward de-escalation. He explained that this would mean stopping attacks on critical infrastructure, including electricity supplies, fuel facilities, gas infrastructure and water supplies.
“Putin is not winning, but he does not feel the need to stop”
Commenting on the situation on the battlefield, Zelenskyy said Russia has not achieved success in the war, although it has not suffered defeat.
According to him, the fighting is effectively in a state of relative stagnation, with only limited changes on the front line.
“The problem is that he (Putin) does not feel that he has to stop,” the president said.
He also noted that human losses have a fundamental importance for Ukraine, while, in his assessment, the Russian leadership treats losses differently.
Ukraine prepares for a difficult winter
Zelenskyy said that the entire period of the war has been a time of survival for Ukraine rather than normal life.
At the same time, he stressed that Ukraine has a chance to end the war before winter, but several conditions are required. Among them, he named political will from the United States and President Trump, as well as increased pressure on Russia.
The president also highlighted the need for US technologies and military assistance, including additional missiles for Patriot air defence systems.
“If you want to end the war now, you need to react now,” Zelenskyy said.
Negotiations with Russia: the problem is Moscow’s lack of readiness
According to Zelenskyy, Donald Trump’s idea is to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table.
However, the president said the process is difficult because, in his view, one of the sides is not ready for compromises.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine cannot agree to giving up its territories and independence after years of fighting.
“After all these days of survival, simply selling our independence and selling our freedom — I think this is not about us,” he said.
Technologies of war: Ukraine warns of a new era
A separate part of the interview focused on the development of military technologies.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has gained experience in modern warfare that should be used to develop new defence solutions.
He expressed concern that Russia may receive new technologies through cooperation with other countries, including China.
According to the president, modern warfare has shown that distance between countries is no longer a form of protection, and technologies must be developed and shared to counter aggression.
Ukraine’s Freya missile defence system
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is developing its own ballistic missile defence system called Freya.
According to him, existing systems, including Patriot, are among the best in the world, but they are expensive and insufficient to meet global needs.
Ukraine, he said, aims to create a more affordable system with cheaper missiles and eventually provide other countries with the opportunity to use such technologies.
He said the first tests of the system could take place at the end of 2026 or early next year. At the same time, he added that the best outcome would be for such a system not to be needed because the war would have ended.
Personal pressure and life during the war
At the end of the interview, Zelenskyy spoke about his personal experience dealing with the stress of a prolonged war.
He said he was not sure whether he truly “copes” with the stress, but tries to perform his duties in a way that would allow him, after leaving the presidency, to continue living in his country without hatred from society.
The president stressed that people and responsibility toward them remain his main focus.
“At the end of the day, everything is about people. People give you energy to live,” Zelenskyy said.
