President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine never sought war and repeatedly proposed peace initiatives, but Russia deliberately blocks every attempt to end its aggression. He emphasized that only strength and decisive action from international partners can force the Kremlin to stop the war.
“We agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, looked for opportunities for peace, and repeatedly offered the world ways to stop the strikes in the sky, on land, and at sea. But it is Russia that constantly blocks this process — manipulating, delaying talks, terrorizing our people with airstrikes, and intensifying assaults on the front line. The war continues only because Moscow doesn’t want to end it,” Zelenskyy said.
According to him, just this week Russian forces carried out more than 3,270 drone attacks, 1,370 guided aerial bombings, and launched nearly 50 missiles of various types against Ukrainian territory.
The president stressed that Ukraine is constantly strengthening its defense — in cooperation with partners, through the PURL program, investments in the domestic defense industry, and bilateral and multilateral formats.
“Putin cannot be stopped by talk — only by pressure. The world sees that Russia responds to strength, so peace through strength may work,” Zelenskyy noted.
He emphasized that Ukraine will not yield to terrorists or give them any “reward” for their crimes, and called on allies — the United States, Europe, and the G7 and G20 countries — to take decisive steps in support of peace and the protection of lives.
“Thank you to everyone helping Ukraine defend life,” the president concluded.