Ukraine's President Zelensky elaborates on reasons behind Ukraine's incapability to offer territorial compromises in Paris

In a series of statements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised concerns about the potential for Russian President Vladimir Putin to use captured territories in Ukraine as a launchpad for potential future actions towards Europe.

Zelensky believes that Putin seized parts of Ukraine's east in 2014, not just as a foothold for fully occupying those regions, but also as a staging ground for encircling the south. Similarly, he claims that Putin annexed Crimea with the intention of using it as a staging ground for potential future actions.

If Ukraine were to withdraw from the Donbas region, Zelensky warns that it would open up an undefended space next to the 1.5 million-strong city of Kharkiv. He further stated that Putin would seize the industrial hub of Dnipro under such circumstances.

Zelensky's statements suggest that Putin's actions in Ukraine could serve as a potential indicator of his future actions towards Europe. If Europe is weak, Russia's actions could potentially cause harm. However, if Europe is strong, Putin may be less likely to use Ukraine as a launchpad.

According to Zelensky, if Putin had succeeded in his initial plan to seize all of Ukraine, Europeans should imagine the potential consequences. He has not provided specific details about a possible scenario for ending the war in Ukraine.

It is important to note that the last official confrontation between the Russian and Ukrainian armies in the city of Kupiansk has not been specifically dated or detailed in the provided search results up to September 13, 2025. Also, no information about Merz's views on Putin ending the war or signing a peace treaty with Ukraine is provided in the current paragraph.

In conclusion, Zelensky's warnings underscore the importance of a strong and united Europe in deterring potential Russian aggression. The likelihood of Putin using Ukraine as a launchpad will depend on the strength of Europe.