Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described Russia’s conditions for a ceasefire in the Black Sea as “unrealistic,” asserting that Russia aims to prolong discussions to acquire more territory.
Mr. Zelensky also mentioned that lifting sanctions on Russia at this time would be a “catastrophe for diplomacy.”
His statements came after meeting numerous European leaders in Paris during a summit focused on providing guarantees for Ukraine in case a ceasefire is reached.
Ukraine’s military has dismissed a Russian allegation claiming it targeted energy facilities, following Moscow’s accusation that Kyiv had violated an agreement made with the United States on Tuesday to cease such aerial strikes.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry indicated that neither country has attacked the other’s energy infrastructure since March 25.
Firefighters extinguished a blaze in a severely damaged residential building after a missile strike in Poltava in February
The United States revealed separate agreements with both Ukraine and Russia on Tuesday to pause assaults in the Black Sea and against each other’s energy installations.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are intensifying their defenses along the northeastern border to prevent Russian advances into the Sumy region, according to Kyiv’s top general.
Sumy shares a border with Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops have largely been expelled from the Russian territory they had captured during a cross-border offensive last August.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, while inspecting forces in the Sumy region, stated that his troops were engaged in defensive and assault operations to maintain a buffer zone within Kursk.
“Our soldiers are actively conducting a defensive operation to stop the enemy from penetrating further into Ukrainian territory,” he added on Facebook.
His remarks followed a new warning from Mr. Zelensky, published in Le Figaro, indicating that Russia is gearing up for a spring offensive in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
A spokesperson for Ukraine’s border guard disclosed to local media that Russian sabotage units have escalated cross-border incursions into the Sumy region.
Wreckage of cars remains in a residential district at the site of a Russian drone attack in Dnipro
Separately, Russian shelling has resulted in at least two fatalities, damaged railway infrastructure, and partially disrupted power supplies in Kherson, a southern city in Ukraine, officials reported.
The regional governor announced on Telegram that “massive shelling” caused the deaths of a 55-year-old woman and a man at a public transport station.
At least five individuals sustained injuries, as reported by Roman Mrochko, head of Kherson’s military administration, on Telegram.
A city train station was also targeted, according to Ukraine’s state railway company. Power and water supply lines were compromised, along with damage to a train carriage, it added.
Due to partial power outages, trolley-bus services were temporarily suspended, Mr. Mrochko stated.
Kherson frequently experiences Russian shelling and drone attacks.
Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, troops from Moscow occupy parts of the surrounding region.
Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to journalists ahead of a meeting of European leaders in Paris
Zelensky urges US to maintain ‘strength’ amidst Russian demands
Mr. Zelensky earlier emphasized his desire for the United States and other Western allies to maintain robust support against Russia’s demands and narrative amid the ongoing conflict in his country.
However, he expressed concern that pro-Kremlin remarks from the United States were diminishing US pressure on Russia, making peace appear more distant.
In an interview with a panel of European journalists in Paris before this afternoon’s meeting of European leaders, Mr. Zelensky stated he had agreed to continue ceasefire negotiations to ensure the continuation of US aid and intelligence sharing.
Nonetheless, Russia has made additional demands concerning the ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea and energy targets, primarily focusing on reducing sanctions on Russia, he noted.
“They are setting conditions regarding sanctions for the American side. If America remains strong… we are standing firm on our own land and defending ourselves,” Mr. Zelensky asserted.
“We have demonstrated our resilience. It is now crucial for our partners to be at least as strong as we are, particularly since they possess greater capabilities,” he added.
When asked if he believed the Americans would remain steadfast, he responded: “I hope so. God bless, they will.”
Russia has placed additional demands on the implementation of the truces with Ukraine
Mr. Zelensky expressed appreciation for US support during the conflict but remarked that the United States had become “influenced” by Russian narratives related to the war.
“We cannot endorse these narratives. We are fighting for ourselves and will continue to oppose these narratives wherever they arise, as there is simply no other choice,” he stated.
“The only response we can offer is to reveal more truths. We must demonstrate through our actions that we are engaged in the struggle on the battlefield,” he continued.
He criticized the US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for “often reiterating Kremlin narratives,” referring to Mr. Witkoff’s favorable comments about President Vladimir Putin’s goals and justifications for Russian policies.
Recently, the US has moderated its rhetoric toward Russia, with Mr. Witkoff stating that he does not “consider Putin a bad guy.”
“I do not believe this brings us any closer to peace. Unfortunately, I think it only diminishes the pressure from America on Russia,” Mr. Zelensky remarked.
“I have spoken frequently with President [Donald] Trump, and we are collaborating on the intelligence level to exchange authentic, factual information. Witkoff’s statements are a significant obstacle for us,” he mentioned.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has gained control of approximately 113,000 square kilometers, which is roughly 20% of Ukraine, with combat ongoing along a 1,000-kilometer front line.
Read more: European ‘reassurance force’ to be deployed to Ukraine after peace deal. Russian sources express skepticism regarding Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal.
