Zelenskyy accuses Putin of continuing to act as an “aggressor” in the war as the Kremlin continues its heavy aerial bombardment of Ukraine despite limited ceasefire agreement.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated on Friday that more pressure must be put on Russia to achieve a sustainable ceasefire.
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to a ‘limited ceasefire’, Moscow’s attacks on Kyiv have continued over the past few days.
“For more than a week now, there has been a proposal for a complete ceasefire. And there is no silence still, only because Putin does not accept this proposal. Therefore, pressure is needed, a pressure on Russia,” said Zelenskyy at a joint press briefing with his Czech counterpart in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy says Putin is continuing to act as an “aggressor” in the war, urging more diplomatic efforts to steer the more than three-year long war towards a lasting peace.
“Of course, we support the need for strong diplomacy and we want an end to this war as soon as possible,” said Zelenskyy.
“But always remember that strong diplomacy can only be the one that helps to put pressure on the cause of this war, on the aggressor. And every day, the world receives new and new evidence that the only cause of this war is Putin, it is his Russia,” added Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine has supported the US proposal for an unconditional silence and an unconditional ceasefire from the very beginning. He however noted that Kyiv is open to discussing any format for achieving an unconditional ceasefire.
“Ukraine has supported from the very beginning the position of the United States of America on an unconditional ceasefire. Why? Because then you don’t have to have 10-20 talks, meetings at the technical level to discuss the conditions.”
“Of course, I think there is a faster option. But we will not be against any format, any steps toward unconditional ceasefire,” added the Ukrainian president.
Zelenskyy is maintaining a hardline stance on the need and urgency for his country to obtain enough security guarantees to protect itself against any recurring threats or attacks from Moscow. He stated that while diplomacy is important, it on its own is not enough to preserve a truce and is not sustainable.
The Ukrainian leader noted that his country maintains logical relations with the United Nations – including active communication with Secretary General Antonio Guterres – but does not view the organisation as a substitute for contingents or security guarantees on which an end to the fighting can be based on.
Zelenskyy argued that while the UN plays an important role in global diplomacy and the facilitating of diplomacy, it does not have the mandate or the power to guarantee Kyiv’s security in the case that Putin decides to resume his invasion after any potential ceasefire deal.
The comments come just a few days before Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to meet for another round of ceasefire talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after US President Donald Trump spoke with the countries’ leaders this week, though it remained to be seen what possible targets would be off limits to attack.
Zelenskyy says he is hopeful the next rounds of talks will bring about a pathway to a permanent cessation of hostilities and a “silence in the sky”.
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