Volodymyr Zelensky's cry: You have no chance, you have to understand that

He added that a Ukrainian victory was vital to stopping the Kremlin before it invaded the rest of Europe.

"Europe without the Ukrainian army will not be able to cope with the Russian army because it is numerically superior. Russia has more weapons, more people and is crueler than the Europeans," Zelensky told the Polish media Onet.

He added that Europe has no chance without Ukrainian forces, and Russian President Putin knows this and talks about it in his circles, Politico reported.

"Therefore, if Ukraine does not defend itself, he will quickly move forward, that is a fact. I am absolutely convinced of that," said Zelensky.

Kyiv has almost a million soldiers, the Ukrainian president said earlier this month, which is by far the largest army in Europe, apart from the Russian one.

Zelensky said that Ukraine's allies in the West do not see the magnitude of the Russian president's expansionist ambitions, which the Nordic and Baltic countries, Poland and Romania have long since accepted.

"The West does not want to admit the only truth about the Russians, which is that they will go further. That fact contains the answers to all questions. Why not strengthen Ukraine as much as possible, by increasing its domestic production for the armed forces," he added.

Zelensky's statements come as newly elected US President Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, and he has repeatedly threatened to significantly reduce aid to Ukraine and quickly end the war.