Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Brussels that Ukraine will continue carrying out strikes against Russia. He stressed that such attacks are intended to force the aggressor toward peace.
“First of all, regarding our response, an absolutely justified response against Moscow. You can all see that despite the three rings of air defense around Moscow, we said that we would be able to reach them. If Putin does not want to end this war and wants to continue it, we will not sit quietly; we will respond. The response must be strong and fair. They struck the Lavra. During our meeting there with journalists, when we were at the Lavra, I said quite openly that we would prepare a response, and you would see it.
We do not want this war and never wanted it. Everyone knows that, and our partners know it as well. We certainly do not want Ukraine to burn because of the enemy. But if Ukraine burns, then your Moscow will burn too. Therefore, we once again emphasize that the time has come to end the aggression, the time has come to end this war,” he said.
Zelenskyy stressed that everyone believes Ukraine wants to end the war, while Putin is doing everything possible to continue it.
“There was a meeting at the G7 summit. All partners believe that Ukraine fully supports ending the war, while Putin is doing everything possible to avoid directly addressing questions of a ceasefire and ending the war. Therefore, I believe that we must increase pressure. Of course, when I speak about pressure, I mean pressure of various kinds — not only Ukraine’s long-range strikes, but also sanctions by our partners, measures targeting energy, the shadow fleet, oil, gas, the banking system, and the defense industry — everything possible to make Russia feel that there is no point in continuing the war,” he added.
The Ukrainian president also said that Russians should put pressure on Putin.
“The main thing is for the people of Russia to begin to feel that one person is waging this war — Putin — while ordinary people are paying the price for it. Therefore, in my view, everyone should put pressure on Putin. Ukrainians should apply pressure, all Europeans should apply pressure, Americans should apply pressure, and Russians should as well. It is time to wake up and put pressure on your leader,” he concluded.
