Zelensky urges allies to maintain pressure on Russia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Maravipost
Volodymyr Zelensky is calling on the United States and its Western allies to maintain pressure on Russia, arguing that any concession would strengthen Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian president opposes easing sanctions as Washington pushes for negotiations to end the war, according to an interview reported by CNN.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States and its Western allies to maintain pressure on Russia and not lift sanctions targeting Moscow. He warned that any concession to Russian President Vladimir Putin would strengthen his ability to continue the war against Ukraine, in an interview conducted by CNN journalists and reported by MaraviPost.
Volodymyr Zelensky said his disagreement with US President Donald Trump was not personal, while opposing measures that could weaken Russia’s isolation. Donald Trump believes that new sanctions could complicate negotiations and reduce the chances of a peace agreement. The Ukrainian president, for his part, accuses Vladimir Putin of viewing talks as a strategic game while Russian attacks continue.
The statements came after contacts between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, following a meeting between Witkoff and Zelensky in Norway. Moscow has reportedly agreed to further talks, but the Ukrainian president doubts its genuine willingness to end the conflict, particularly because of its territorial demands. He believes that freezing the front line could serve as a starting point for a ceasefire, MaraviPost reports. They extend exchanges during which Zelensky called it unfair for Trump to accuse Ukraine of Russian aggression, following the announcement of talks between Putin, Kyiv and Washington.
