Ukraine – Zelenskyy Says Greater Pressure on Russia Is Essential for Peace
Ukraine –Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his appeal for stronger international pressure on Russia, saying that Ukraine, the United States, and European allies remain committed to ending the war, while accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of rejecting even temporary ceasefire proposals that could open the door to diplomatic negotiations.
Zelenskyy Says Diplomacy Requires Russian Cooperation
Speaking during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Zelenskyy said Kyiv has consistently pursued diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing the violence. According to him, Ukraine has repeatedly proposed temporary ceasefires to create space for negotiations, but those initiatives have not received a positive response from Moscow.
He stated that US President Donald Trump, European leaders, and Ukraine all share the objective of bringing the conflict to an end. However, he argued that progress remains difficult because Russia has shown no willingness to pause military operations. Zelenskyy maintained that continued economic sanctions and sustained international pressure remain necessary to encourage meaningful negotiations.
Tribute Paid to Senator Lindsey Graham
During the interview, Zelenskyy also reflected on the support Ukraine received from the late Senator Lindsey Graham, describing him as one of Kyiv’s most dependable international allies since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian leader said Graham consistently believed Ukraine would withstand Russian aggression despite early predictions of a rapid military defeat. Zelenskyy noted that the senator visited Ukraine ten times throughout the conflict, including trips to areas located close to active front lines.
He added that their professional relationship developed into a friendship and expressed gratitude for Graham’s confidence in Ukraine and his long-standing commitment to supporting the country during the war.
Ukraine Highlights Expansion of Defence Industry
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has significantly expanded its domestic defence manufacturing capacity since the beginning of the conflict. He explained that hundreds of Ukrainian companies are now producing advanced military technologies that directly support troops engaged in frontline operations.
According to the Ukrainian president, this rapid growth has strengthened the country’s ability to respond to battlefield challenges while reducing dependence on external military production.
He also claimed that Russian forces continue to suffer substantial losses each month. Zelenskyy argued that despite these setbacks, the Kremlin has not changed its military strategy. He further stated that battlefield momentum has shifted in Ukraine’s favour, describing it as one of the most important developments in the ongoing conflict.
US Senate Advances Russia Sanctions Bill
Earlier during his visit to Washington, Zelenskyy welcomed the US Senate’s overwhelming procedural vote to move forward with legislation aimed at imposing tougher sanctions on Russia. He described the development as an important early step toward achieving peace.
The Ukrainian president said he met with more than 60 senators from both political parties to discuss continued American assistance, particularly efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence systems against missile attacks.
Zelenskyy also noted the symbolic timing of the Senate vote, which coincided with tributes to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had strongly supported the sanctions proposal throughout its development.
According to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrats, lawmakers approved the procedural vote by a margin of 86-12, advancing what has been described as one of the strongest sanctions packages proposed against Russia.
Trump and Zelenskyy Discuss Future Cooperation
US President Donald Trump also commented on his meeting with Zelenskyy, saying their discussions covered a wide range of issues and describing the talks as productive.
Beyond political meetings, Zelenskyy held discussions with executives from Lockheed Martin during his Washington visit. The talks focused on expanding defence cooperation through joint manufacturing, technology sharing, and improving Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
The Ukrainian president said both sides discussed cooperation involving Patriot missile systems and other defence technologies. He added that technical teams are already working on practical plans aimed at launching joint production projects and strengthening Ukraine’s ability to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.