Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “Russia must not sabotage diplomacy”: Following aerial assaults, demands “additional pressure” on Moscow
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for “additional pressure” on Russia to stop the conflict after one of the worst Russian aircraft raids on Tuesday (local time), saying Kyiv has never been an “obstacle to peace.”
Russia killed three people, including a four-year-old kid, in an aerial strike on Ukraine overnight Monday, launching over 650 drones and over 30 missiles over at least 13 areas.
President Zelenskyy said in a video message to Ukrainians that Russia must refrain from undermining negotiations in order to reach a peace deal.
Zelenskyy guaranteed the people that power will be restored by Christmas, while claiming that the Russian airstrike was directed against Ukraine’s energy industry.
“Like everything else they do, the day started with a vile strike on our nation,” he added. The primary objective was the energy industry. Unfortunately, however, there have been casualties. To make sure Ukrainians have power for Christmas, maintenance workers have been visiting energy plants all day. The celebration is being ruined by Russians. Every day, Ukraine needs help. It requires financing for the manufacturing of weapons, missiles for air defense, and support to remain resilient. I spoke with Ursula von der Leyen today. We appreciate your support on this day and throughout the war years.
Following the European Council’s decision to provide Ukraine 90 billion euros in financial aid for 2026–2027, Zelenskyy spoke virtually with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.
The president of Ukraine also promised “full cooperation” with the ceasefire accord.
“We believe that America wants to come to a definitive conclusion, and we are fully cooperating. Peace has never been hampered by Ukraine and never will be. To make sure that the papers are practical and come to pass, we are actively working and doing all required steps. The important thing is that Russia must take ending the conflict seriously and not undermine this diplomacy. If not, further pressure on Russia will need to be applied. He said in the message, “The world has all the tools necessary to make that pressure effective and guarantee that peace is achieved.”
In a forceful social media message earlier on Tuesday (local time), Zelenskyy claimed that the assaults disrupted “the entire infrastructure of daily life” and mainly targeted Ukraine’s electricity system and civilian infrastructure.
“At the moment, the majority of Ukraine is still under air raid warnings. All required services are working to address the strike’s repercussions at the same time. Unfortunately, people died. A Russian drone murdered a lady in the Kyiv area. The Khmelnytskyi area reported one person deceased. A Russian drone attacked a residential building in the Zhytomyr district, killing a four-year-old kid. Zelenskyy stated, “I send my sympathies to the families and loved ones.
Zelenskyy criticized the attack’s timing, pointing out that it happened only days before Christmas, when families were hoping to be secure at home.
The situation on the ground is still very unstable, with notable increases in both aerial combat and territory invasions, notwithstanding the recent important peace negotiations in Miami and Berlin.