Russia wants endless war, not peace – Zelenskyy warns
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Russia will do everything it can to prolong the war in Ukraine because Russian president Vladimir Putin does not want peace. Ukraine already has intelligence data confirming this, states President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press briefing following the Ukraine Recovery Conference held on July 10 in Rome.
"Our intelligence, as well as that of our partners, confirms that Russia will continue dragging out this war. Putin is rejecting every opportunity to achieve a real ceasefire. He does not want genuine peace," the president said.
Zelenskyy emphasized that, in light of this, Ukraine must strengthen its own defense, while Ukraine's partners must tighten sanctions against the Kremlin. The only way to force Russia toward peace, he said, is through strength.
"Putin is addicted to war and killing, and the only way to break that addiction is with real force. That's why our defense must be strong enough, and the sanctions against Russia must be genuinely powerful," Zelenskyy concluded.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently on a visit to Rome. He has already participated in the Coalition of the Willing meeting and the Ukraine Recovery Conference. At the coalition meeting, he noted that Putin intends to fight “to the bitter end.”
Later on July 10, Zelenskyy is also scheduled to hold additional talks with US representatives. The agenda will focus on sanctions policy and the upcoming US sanctions package against Russia.
This comes as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov once again tries to portray Russia as being "ready for peace," having delivered vague proposals from the Kremlin to the US regarding a so-called "new approach" to peace talks in Ukraine.
