Vladimir Putin is not mad, he’s a murderer, says Volodymyr Zelensky

Vladimir Putin is no madman but a murderous aggressor enabled by the world’s failure to curb his behaviour, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

The remains of a shopping and office complex after a Russian attack in Kharkiv. Picture: AFP

Vladimir Putin is no madman but a murderous aggressor enabled by the world’s failure to curb his behaviour in the years before the Ukraine invasion, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

The Ukrainian President, in an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan in the capital Kyiv, also ruled out any territorial concessions in order to buy peace with Moscow, an outcome that has been suggested by French President Emmanuel Macron, and other leaders.

Speaking with his wife Olena at his side, Mr Zelensky, 44, also spoke about his marriage, saying the war has made their relationship stronger, despite long periods of separation.

Summing up the Russian President’s war on Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said: “It seems to me the scariest thing about it is that he is in fact sane, and he understands what he’s doing. He knows how many people he kills. He knows how many people were raped, and by who, and the number of children killed or deported.

“The world allowed this situation to develop, it allowed such a person to emerge, with that ideology and attitude towards people.

“The world should understand that this result – this mistake, to allow this situation – is the ­responsibility of the whole world.”

Ukrainians could never countenance the surrender of land to appease Mr Putin, Mr Zelensky said, adding that his citizens “hate” the invaders.

“They hate and it is understandable. When so many families have lost their neighbours, their children. Can Russia give a child back? There are no emotions, only one emotion: hate,” he said.

Olena Zelenska and her husband Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan. Picture: SkyNews

“We are not prepared to ­exchange or trade the territory of the independent state of Ukraine.”

When asked about the departure of the strongly pro-Ukraine Boris Johnson as British Prime Minister, Mr Zelensky said he was concerned that a successor might not be so supportive.

“To be honest, I am worried about it,” he said. “We would like to have at least the same level of support … because my personal relationship with Boris accelerated the level of British support that was provided. The British were the leaders in this kind of support.”

Mr Zelensky spoke lovingly of his wife, whom he met when they were students in Kryvyi Rih 26 years ago, and who has emerged from her previously discreet existence to rally support for the country around the world.

The couple revealed that for security reasons, Mr Zelensky, 44, had not been able to see their children Oleksandra, 18, and Kyrylo, 9, since the February 24 invasion.

Addressing his wife, he said: “When you are talking, your opinion has priority. What I would say is I don’t have any other experience. I’ve got only one wife and I am happy. I have one wife, one love and one family. I never got any feeling there was anything wrong with us or in our relationship. Or maybe do you feel unhappy with me sometimes?”

She replied with a question: “We are managing?” He responded: “Yes, but managing is not the right word. We are in love with each other.

“The war is making our relationship stronger, that’s for sure.”

The couple, whose interview was broadcast on Wednesday, disclosed that Mr Zelensky forgot to tell his wife he was planning to run for president in 2018, and she learnt about it from a broadcast announcing his candidacy.

The President also said he would accept his son Kyrylo joining the armed forces when he grew up.

“If my son wants to be a soldier, I can provide the support for him as a father,” he said.

“I know he is wearing military-style clothing. He’s got quite a lot of weapons, not the kind of weapons we’ve got from our partners. He’s ready to protect his mother and our family.”

The Times