Zelenskyy: Russia will not agree to peace without decisive pressure from US

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the United States' shift in focus to the Middle East has reduced pressure on Russia and risks prolonging the war, as Moscow will not agree to end its aggression without stronger and more decisive action from Washington.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the US television channel Newsmax

Quote: "We all want to stop this war. The problem is that the priority for the United States has now shifted to the Middle East. I'm afraid that if we have just talks, Russia will not feel the most important thing that America can give us, pressure on them.

The United States can put pressure with more sanctions, but they now lift it, yes, because of the Middle East, and we feel this."

Details: Zelenskyy said that although military support continues to arrive, diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin has weakened.

"I don't speak about their weapon packages. It still continues, and we are thankful for this, that we can use European funds and buy some anti-ballistic missiles," he said.

The Ukrainian leader added that Kyiv maintains daily contact with US officials, but stressed that weapons alone are not enough without sustained economic and political pressure.

Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine has not agreed to requests from its partners to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

Quote: "We've got the messages from partners that, because of this challenge in the Middle East, maybe not to attack some infrastructure, energy infrastructure in Russia. And of course, I said no, we will respond... nobody proposed an energy ceasefire to us. We are open for this, but if Russia attacks us, we will respond in any way."

Details: He also criticised comments by US Vice President JD Vance, who has argued that the US should not continue providing aid to Ukraine. Zelenskyy said that such a position benefits Russia.

Quote: "We are open, and we are not enemies. Russia is the enemy. If Vance is proud that he is not helping us, it means that he is helping Russians. Russia doesn't respect weakness, and if nobody helps us, we will be, of course, in a weaker position."

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!