Zelenskyy calls for unconditional ceasefire, increased pressure on Russia

ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that international partners increasingly acknowledge Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts, emphasizing that Russia must show genuine intent to end the war or face increased pressure.

Speaking in Kyiv to journalists, Zelenskyy said discussions in Jeddah had reinforced Ukraine’s position, making it a shared stance among allies.

He welcomed a proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, saying Ukraine supports it as a step toward a sustainable peace plan.

“If Russia agrees to a ceasefire, it must demonstrate its willingness to end the war, or it will show that it wants to continue. This is what everyone is waiting for,” Zelenskyy said.

He asserted that if Moscow rejects the proposal, it would indicate not just opposition to Kyiv but also direct disagreement with Trump. “Putin is simply finding a position to avoid ending the war,” he claimed.

Addressing security concerns, Zelenskyy dismissed Russian reports of encircled Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, calling them “lies from Putin.”

He said Russian forces were attempting to surround Ukrainian troops within Ukraine, but Kyiv’s military command was aware of the situation.

The Ukrainian leader also stressed the need for written security guarantees, saying Germany and Türkiye had raised the issue of post-war reconstruction. “This is a very positive signal. It shows that everyone believes the war can be ended,” he said.

On NATO membership, Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Russia should have no veto over Ukraine’s defense alliances, saying: “They have no legal authority here, and we should not give them the chance to exert such influence.”

He emphasized that a strong Ukrainian military is essential for both Ukraine’s defense and European security.

“Everyone understands that at the current pace, Ukraine and Europe can be strengthened within five years. We believe this is too long and too dangerous,” he said, urging faster action on military production and allied commitments.