Ukraine’s president called on European partners to increase pressure on Russia on Thursday in a bid to force Moscow into direct peace negotiations with Kyiv.
Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels on the same day the bloc adopted a new sanctions package against Moscow, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is still refusing the idea of a ceasefire and even direct talks.
“More pressure on Russia and they will sit and speak and I think that’s the plan,” Zelenskyy said.
He said Kyiv will now coordinate with non-EU partner countries like Norway, Switzerland and the UK so that “they apply these strong EU measures in their own systems too.”
“We need to go further. The world should respect EU sanctions the same way it respects US sanctions,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the new sanctions package announced by the White House on Wednesday evening targeting Russia’s two largest oil companies.
“This is important work, so let’s get it done: create strong sanctions control and real consequences for those who break the rules.”
Long-range weapons and air defence
With the White House still weighing whether to supply long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Zelenskyy said “These long-range weapons are not only in the US.”
“Some European countries also have them, including Tomahawks. We are already talking to the countries that can help.”
He reiterated that Kyiv needs the missiles to defend from Russia’s intensified bombardments.
“We need to defend and respond if we don’t want to give them the possibility to attack and to win,” he said.
Earlier this week Zelenskyy said Ukraine is preparing a long-term contract for 25 Patriot batteries. This is the only Western-made air defence system capable of consistently shooting down Russian ballistic missiles.
But the Patriot system is in high demand, with a years-long waiting list both for the batteries themselves and for the interceptor missiles.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv is asking its allies to help prioritise his country’s defence.
“Some countries already have Patriot systems, but luckily they don’t need to use them like we do. We suggest changing the order. If we get the systems now, we’re ready to give them back or replace them when it’s our turn.”
Diplomatic leverage over Russia
Reinforced air defence and more long-range weapons supplies is what Kyiv believes will ultimately force Russia to the negotiating table.
“When we talk about long-range weapons for Ukraine, we mean that the Putin regime should feel real consequences from this war,” Zelenskyy told EU leaders, urging them to “to support everything that helps Ukraine get such capabilities, because it really makes a difference for Russia.”
“Just look at how nervous Putin became when this topic came up. He understands that long-range weapons can truly change the course of the war.”
He did not rule out the possibility of Ukraine still getting US-made Tomahawk missiles.
“We don’t have Tomahawks yet. We will see, every day brings something. Maybe tomorrow we will have Tomahawks,” he suggested.
From Brussels, Ukraine’s president will travel to London for a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing,” which Kyiv hopes will focus on energy and weapons supplies to Ukraine.
