 "'Don't see any strong pressure on Russia': Zelenskyy laments global response after Kyiv strike")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said he did not see signs Russia was being pressured to halt its invasion or agree to a ceasefire.
Addressing a press conference alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa in South Africa, Zelenskyy said, “I don’t see any strong pressure on Russia or any new sanctions packages against Russia’s aggression.”
He said that US President Donald Trump had previously warned of repercussions if Moscow did not agree to a ceasefire.
“We believe that with greater pressure on the Russian Federation, we will be able to bring our sides closer,” he added.
He said that any additional compromises can be considered once a ceasefire is in place.
However, he pointed out that after more than three years of a brutal war of aggression that has claimed thousands of lives, the very act of agreeing to talks with the aggressor is itself a significant compromise.
The Ukrainian president said that agreeing to a ceasefire would signal “political goodwill” from all parties involved.
He reiterates that Ukraine’s primary goal is to end the war and emphasises the urgent need to bring back Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsZelenskyy also urges the United States to take a leading role in securing peace, noting that the results of the London talks should now be on President Trump’s desk for review and consideration.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has done as much as possible to progress in talks with the US by signing a memorandum on minerals, after removing provisions that would contradict its constitution.
The Ukrainian president cut short his South Africa visit after eight people were killed and dozens injured in a Russian overnight attack on Kyiv.
Zelensky said the attack was “undoubtedly one of the most difficult and impudent”.
“If Russia says it is ready to cease fire, it must stop massive strikes against Ukraine. It is Ukrainians who are running out of patience, because it is us who are under attack, and no one else,” BBC quoted Zelenskyy as saying.
With inputs from agencies
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