Zelenskyy: US could put more pressure on Putin to push him towards peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin does not currently feel sufficient pressure from the United States to agree to peace in Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy during an online briefing with journalists on Saturday 20 December, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said that Russia is not going to change its position, which is aimed at fully occupying Ukraine and destroying its independence, on its own. There needs to be additional pressure on Moscow, targeting its revenues in particular.

"And since we understand that Russia acts like a spoilt child, in my view the US should put a bit more pressure on the Russians, leaving them with no other options," he said.

"If this [Russia's actions – ed.] is not diplomacy, America must make it clear: if it's not diplomacy, there will be full pressure. Total pressure. There will be a very strong weapons package for Ukraine, there will be robust support for Ukraine, and the United States will impose full sanctions on [Russia's] entire economy and all its revenue-generating sectors," he added.

"Putin does not yet feel the level of pressure that there should be, and we hear this in his daily rhetoric," Zelenskyy said.

Background:

• In October, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the United States was willing to engage with other G7 countries to increase pressure on Russia.
• In November, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington had practically reached the limit in terms of imposing new sanctions against Russia.

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