Ukraine's first lady: 'We are in trouble if solidarity fades'

Ukraine's first Lady Olena Zelenska (pictured) said on Wednesday (3 November) that her war-torn nation will be in trouble if there is no international solidarity. However, she said that she believes humanity will prevail and that support will continue.

The cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy costs are dominating Europe's political agenda. Some fear that this is gradually distracting attention from the conflict in Ukraine since February, when Russian forces invaded.

"I don’t believe that support (for Ukraine), is fading. I believe it will not diminish," Zelenska said during a conversation on the sidelines at Europe's biggest tech event, Lisbon’s Web Summit.

She said: "I believe that common sense, empathy and human emotions will win," and urged people to consider the world they desire to live in.

"If this is wrong, we're in trouble."

On 24 February, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, killing thousands, and displacing more than 8 million. They also destroyed cities and towns, and reopened Cold War-era divisions.

Russia describes the conflict as "special military operations" that aims to protect Russian speakers and eliminate dangerous nationalists. Kyiv describes Moscow's invasion as an unprovoked imperialist land grab.

Zelenska said: "If someone believes that aggression can be justified...this individual is under the influence of propaganda."

The wife of Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian president, has been using her diplomatic role since the beginning of the invasion to maintain diplomatic relations with the world leaders and raise awareness about the human cost of war.

She stated that there are no books "that can teach you how to become a president's spouse", especially during wartime.

Although I can't claim to want to be the center of attention, every voice in this information warfare is important. If I have the chance to be heard, I will take advantage of this opportunity."

Last month, the European Union approved a new set of sanctions on Russia. These are intended to undermine Moscow's reserve and to endanger its determination to continue the war.

Zelenska replied that sanctions cannot be stopped, but can be strengthened.

She said that she would like the West to continue following this path. "The greater the financial pressure and sanctions placed on the aggressor, they will have fewer opportunities to wage war against Ukraine.

"We hope that this will work."

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