Ukraine will die if the West tires of supporting its war against Russia’s invasion, Olena Zelenska has said. 

The wife of Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC that a slowdown in military aid and financial support was a “mortal danger” for the country.

“In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die,” she said.

Ms Zelenska gave her warning on Friday, the day after Republican senators blocked a £47.8 billion aid bill for Ukraine. Joe Biden has warned that failing to back Ukraine will be a “gift” to Vladimir Putin who analysts have said is waiting for the West’s support to fracture.

Ukrainians worried West has gotten bored of war

In her interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Zelenska said Ukrainians are worried that the West has already gotten bored of war in Ukraine.

“It hurts us greatly to see the signs that the passionate willingness to help may fade,” she said. “It is a matter of life for us.”

Leading Kremlin appeasers is Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister, who has said from the beginning of the war that Ukraine needs to negotiate peace with Russia. In October, Slovakians voted in a government that wanted to end the war.

Meloni admits EU leaders tired of war

In Western Europe, Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, has admitted that EU leaders are growing tired of the war, although the leaders of Poland and the Baltic states have said that Putin is now more dangerous than at any time since his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Through deals with Iran and North Korea, Putin has rearmed his military and orientated the Russian economy towards the military. This week, he visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia where he was feted as a great international leader, undermining Western sanctions against Russia.

Ms Zelenska’s interview will be broadcast in full on Sunday at 9am on BBC1.