Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has urged for stronger measures against Russia, indicating Moscow’s indifference to diplomatic efforts as long-range strikes continue. He emphasizes the need for sanctions and increased air defense for Ukraine. President Trump has also expressed frustration with Putin amid ongoing tensions, contemplating new sanctions on Russian oil exports as strikes resume across both nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for stricter measures against Russia, asserting that President Vladimir Putin is uninterested in pursuing diplomacy amid continuous long-range attacks. Recently, strikes have persisted despite U.S. mediation efforts aimed at establishing a ceasefire to facilitate peace in Ukraine, where Russia has been invading for the last three years.
Despite a recent agreement between Kyiv and Moscow to halt attacks in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure, both parties have accused each other of violating this ceasefire. In a Sunday video address, Zelenskyy highlighted ongoing strikes across seven Ukrainian regions, emphasizing the consistent escalation of Russian aggression: “The geography and brutality of Russian strikes… show that Putin couldn’t care less about diplomacy.”
Zelenskyy further stated that there has been an unconditional ceasefire proposal from the U.S. for several weeks. However, he lamented that this has not curtailed Russia’s aggressive actions, with continuous drone strikes and artillery shelling being reported daily. He stressed the necessity for increased sanctions against Russia: “Russia deserves increased pressure — all the tough measures that can break its capacity to wage war… More air defense for Ukraine is essential.”
President Donald Trump expressed frustration with the ongoing conflict during an NBC News interview, citing his dissatisfaction with Putin’s recent criticism of Zelenskyy, stating he would consider imposing further sanctions on Russian oil exports. Trump maintained that significant progress was being made toward a resolution and remarked on his established rapport with Putin, though he registered disappointment regarding the Russian leader’s comments.
As tensions continued, cross-border attacks persisted over the weekend; Ukraine’s air force reported the thwarting of several Russian drone attacks. Counterclaims from Russia’s Defense Ministry indicated that their forces successfully intercepted a significant number of Ukrainian drones. Both nations remain entrenched in their conflict amid challenging dynamics regarding peace negotiations.
The situation between Ukraine and Russia remains precarious as hostilities continue unabated. President Zelenskyy’s call for tougher sanctions against Russia underscores the urgent need for international intervention to curb violence and pursue peace. Concurrently, President Trump’s expressions of frustration with Russia suggest a broader discontent with the pace of diplomatic efforts. As cross-border strikes increase, the prospect for resolution appears strained, emphasizing the delicate balance between military actions and peace negotiations.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
