Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Europe that there is "no chance" against Russia without Ukraine, Politico quoted him as saying.
Speaking to Polish media outlet Onet, Zelensky said Ukraine's victory was vital to stopping the Kremlin before it can invade the rest of Europe.
"Europe without the Ukrainian army will not cope with the Russian army because it is larger in numbers. Russia has more weapons, more people and is [more cruel] than the Europeans,” he said.
"Without the Ukrainian army, Europe, unfortunately, has no chance against Russia today. Putin knows this and talks about it to his entourage," Zelensky added. "Therefore, if Ukraine does not defend itself, he will quickly move forward. This is a fact. I am absolutely convinced of this."
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At least 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 370,000 wounded repelling Moscow’s offensive, according to official Ukrainian figures released last month, compared with 600,000 killed and wounded reported for Russia.
Kiev has nearly a million soldiers, Zelensky said this month, the largest army in Europe, excluding Russia.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine’s Western allies have not come to terms with the scale of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expansionist ambitions — something that the Scandinavian countries, the Baltic states, Poland and Romania have long accepted.
"They [the West] don’t want to admit one truth about the Russians: they will go further. Period," he said.
"This one statement contains the answer to all the questions, because if you know for sure that the Russians will go further... Why don't you strengthen Ukraine as much as possible, increase production at home, for your armed forces?" he added.
Zelensky's comments come as US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to enter the White House on January 20.
During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly threatened to cut aid to Ukraine and claimed to end the war quickly, seemingly hinting at a negotiated peace with Moscow - something Kiev has rejected unless it rules out the cession of territory to Russia.