Zelenskyy after third night of Russian terror in a row: US and Europe must show strength

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the United States and Europe to demonstrate strength towards Russia to force it to cease fire.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In a statement issued on Monday following a large-scale Russian attack, Zelenskyy emphasised that only strength, not dialogue, can stop the aggressor.

Quote: "Russian forces have used the highest number of drones against our cities and communities since the start of the full-scale war – 355 attack drones, most of them Shaheds. There were also nine cruise missiles." 

Details: Zelenskyy said the strikes had targeted infrastructure and had injured civilians across the country – from Chernihiv to Khmelnytskyi, from Kharkiv to Odesa. This was the third consecutive night of combined drone and missile attacks, which the president believes stems from Russia’s sense of total impunity.

Quote: "There is no significant military purpose in this, but there is significant political meaning. Putin is demonstrating his contempt for the world, which is putting more effort into ‘dialogue’ with him than pressure.

Like any criminal, Russia can only be restrained through strength. It is only through strength – the strength of the United States, the strength of Europe, the strength of all nations that respect life – that we can achieve a complete halt to these strikes and real peace." 

Details: Zelenskyy called on the international community not to delay its response: to increase sanctions pressure and strengthen the blockade of Russia’s financial flows and oil exports. "Russia must end this war. And to make that happen, their desire to fight must be deprived of resources," the president stressed.

Background:

• Ukraine’s Air Force reported that on the night of 25-26 May, air defence forces shot down nine cruise missiles and neutralised 288 Russian UAVs.
• On Sunday 25 May, US President Donald Trump condemned the latest Russian attacks on Ukraine and said he was considering imposing additional sanctions against Russia.
• Trump did not pass up the opportunity to criticise Zelenskyy as well, saying that he is not doing Ukraine any favours "by talking the way he does".
• Earlier on Sunday, Zelenskyy complained that silence from America and other countries only encourages Putin to launch further attacks.

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