Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that it would be “suicidal” for Europe to offer concessions to Russia in exchange for halting its invasion of Ukraine, following Moscow’s demands for the West to engage in direct negotiations to end the conflict.
Ukraine is intensifying the pressure on its allies for increased support in its struggle against Moscow, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
Mr. Trump has claimed he could resolve the conflict in mere hours and has repeatedly criticized American assistance to Kyiv.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted that Ukraine cede significant territory in the east and south as a prerequisite for peace talks, while Kyiv has firmly rejected the idea of relinquishing land for peace.
During a summit in Hungary, President Zelensky condemned those urging him to concede to some of Putin’s stringent demands.
“There has been much discussion about the necessity to yield to Putin, to step back, to make concessions,” he remarked, according to a transcript shared by the Ukrainian presidency.
“Such actions are unacceptable for Ukraine and would be catastrophic for all of Europe.”
He also accused unnamed European leaders of “strongly” pushing Ukraine towards compromise.
“We need adequate weaponry, not discussions. Embraces with Putin won’t suffice. Some of you have been embracing him for 20 years, and the situation is only deteriorating,” President Zelensky stated.
Hospital among buildings attacked in Ukraine
His remarks come as Russian attacks on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, which included a hospital and residential areas, resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals.
Eighteen others, including a minimum of two children, sustained injuries, according to reports from Ukraine’s emergency services.
“There may still be individuals trapped beneath the rubble,” the agency noted.
The industrial city, which has recently seen an increase in Russian assaults, had a pre-war population exceeding 700,000 and is located about 35km from the closest Russian military positions.
Ukrainian troops prepare for battle near Zaporizhzhia
Shortly before the strikes, Moscow demanded that Ukraine’s allies engage in negotiations with them if they wish to cease the ongoing attacks.
Sergei Shoigu, head of Russia’s Security Council, stated that the West now faces a choice between initiating direct negotiations or continuing the “destruction” of Ukraine’s populace.
“As the situation on the battlefield is currently not favorable for Kyiv, the West must decide,” Mr. Shoigu conveyed during a meeting with defense officials from other former Soviet states.
“To keep financing (Kyiv) while perpetuating the destruction of the Ukrainian people or to acknowledge the existing realities and commence negotiations,” added the former defense minister.
These comments mark some of the first from a Russian official following the confirmation of Mr. Trump’s return to the White House in January.
Recent Ukraine stories
President Zelensky has previously emphasized that without American assistance, Ukraine would face defeat in the war.
His outnumbered and outgunned forces are already struggling in the eastern Donbas region, where Russian troops have been gradually advancing for months.
Moscow reported that it gained control of Kreminna Balka, a village that had a pre-war population of fewer than 50 individuals in the industrial Donetsk region, where Ukraine’s defenses have been consistently pushed back.
Ukrainian media indicated that officials in Donetsk are preparing to implement mandatory evacuations from seven additional villages in a region that the Kremlin declared as part of Russia in 2022.
Today, two individuals were reported killed due to shelling in that area, according to the local governor.
Russia launched 106 drones at Ukraine overnight, as reported by the air force, with 74 being intercepted across 11 regions.
Local governors confirmed that two people lost their lives in attacks in the frontline Kherson and Sumy regions.
