"We are fighting for our freedom and the universal values against a nuclear-armed state that poses a threat to the entire world. Consider this: if we were to lose, what might the world look like in 10 years?" Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with CBS News.

The president expressed his conviction that in the event of Ukraine's defeat, there would be a significant risk of a Third World War, as Putin is unlikely to halt his aggression and may target neighboring NATO countries.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Ukraine's partners for their assistance in countering the aggressor but stressed that the costs would be much greater if there were a direct confrontation with the Russian Federation.

"Ukrainians are paying the highest price. We are not a fictional tale or a story in a book. We are genuinely sacrificing lives in this war while defending the values of the entire world.

The USA has provided crucial financial support to Ukraine, and I am sincerely grateful for that. However, I believe that this support extends beyond just Ukraine. If Ukraine were to fall, Putin would undoubtedly expand further. What would the US do if Putin were to approach the Baltic states? Or if he were to reach the Polish border? It would entail significant costs.

Our gratitude knows no bounds. But what more can Ukraine do to convey our immense gratitude? The world at large needs to decide whether we wish to prevent Putin or risk initiating a global conflict.

We may not be able to change Putin, but we can take a stand here. Russian society has lost the respect of the world. They elected him, re-elected him, and essentially created a second Hitler. They made that choice.

We cannot alter the past, but we have the power to stop it right here," Zelenskyy concluded.