Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his call for allies to apply joint pressure on Russia to bring an end to the ongoing war and stop the killings.
Ahead of a crucial meeting with President Trump at the White House, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a united front in dealing with Russia.
In a social media post, he stated, “Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. And it is important that the momentum of all our meetings lead to precisely this result.”
Zelenskyy made it clear that Russia’s aggression won’t cease without concerted effort, saying, “we understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest.
That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure – from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and the international order.”
The Ukrainian president’s comments come after he coordinated positions with leaders from several countries, including Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Commission, and NATO Secretary General.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to partners working towards a reliable and dignified peace, saying, “we must stop the killings, and I thank our partners who are working toward this and ultimately toward a reliable and dignified peace.”
Ukraine is ready for a real truce and establishing a new security architecture, according to Zelenskyy. He emphasized the need for collective action, stating that joint pressure from the international community is essential to bring Russia to the negotiating table.
European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are joining Zelenskyy in Washington to present a united front in talks with President Trump.
Starmer hopes to exploit his relationship with Trump to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron also emphasized the need for a united front, saying, “We need to present a united position to achieve a peaceful resolution.”
The international community’s efforts to pressure Russia come as Putin’s demands for Ukraine’s surrender of territory have sparked concerns about the potential for further escalation.
Rubio, the US Secretary of State, noted that both sides would need to make concessions for a peace deal to be reached, saying, “Both sides are going to have to make concessions for there to be a peaceful resolution”.