President Zelensky Sures The World Will Not Allow Vladimir Putin To Use Nuclear Weapons

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he did not believe the world would allow Vladimir Putin to use nuclear weapons, pledging to continue the release of Ukrainian territory captured by Russian forces.

President Zelensky spoke in an interview with BILD TV Germany, which was published hours after the Russian president announced partial mobilization.

It was Russia's first mobilization since World War II, marking Ukraine's biggest escalation of the war since Moscow's invasion in February.

"I can't believe that he (Putin) will use these weapons. I don't think the world will allow him to use these weapons," Zelensky said, according to a text published by the German media.

"Tomorrow Putin can say: apart from Ukraine, we also want a share of Poland, otherwise we will use nuclear weapons. We cannot make this compromise," he stressed.

Ukraine has recaptured large parts of its territory following lightning strikes in recent weeks, causing mounting casualties to Russian forces.

President Putin's mobilization comes in response to Russia's failure on the battlefield, President Zelensky said.

"He saw that his unit ran away," Zelensky said, adding that President Putin "wanted to drown Ukraine in blood, including the blood of his own soldiers".

In addition, President Zelensky also dismissed plans by four Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine to hold a referendum on September 23-27 about joining Russia, saying they were 'false' that most countries would not recognize.

"We will act according to our plan step by step. I believe we will free up our territory," he concluded.