Zelenskyy: If Ukraine loses, U.S. must choose between the collapse of NATO or going to war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned in a television interview on Thursday that the United States could face the “collapse of NATO” or a direct conflict with Russia if Ukraine does not win the war.

Zelenskyy’s comments come less than four weeks before a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where support for Ukraine will be a central topic on the agenda for the military alliance. President Joe Biden is also expected to announce increased security guarantees for Ukraine ahead of the summit in July.

Speaking through an interpreter, Zelenskyy issued a stark warning to any American politician or 2024 presidential candidate who is skeptical about providing more aid to equip Kyiv in its war against Russia.

“Is he ready to go to war? To fight, to send his kids? Are they ready to die?” Zelenskyy asked. “Because anyway, they will have to do this if NATO gets involved.”

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner in the 2024 presidential election, would not commit to supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, during a CNN town hall last month. Instead, Trump pledged to end the war within 24 hours.

Zelenskyy said that keeps in mind the popular opinion in the United States and Europe on providing aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia. He also acknowledged paying attention to the “internal conflicts” between politicians and political parties on support for Ukraine.

“I always watch what is happening in Europe, what is happening in the United States of America, first of all,” he said. “All of this influences the war.”

Zelenskyy, however, reminded the U.S. that supporting Ukraine is in its own interest.

“If Ukraine would lose, if Russia would occupy Ukraine, Russia will continue going toward Baltic countries, Poland, etcetera,” he said. “They will start war with one of the NATO countries and at this moment the United States will have to choose the collapse of NATO or go to war.”