KYIV, March 29 – President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the battle for Bakhmut has political significance.

In an interview with the Associated Press published on Wednesday, he predicted that if Russia defeated Ukraine at Bakhmut, Putin would "sell" this victory to the international community.

"If he will feel some blood – smell that we are weak – he will push, push, push," Zelensky said, adding that the pressure would come not only from the international community, but also from within his own country. "Our society will feel tired," he said. "Our society will push me to have compromise with them."