'Ukraine will defend itself': Zelenskyy unveils new measures against Russia
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Russia rejects all peace proposals. In this regard, Ukraine has made a number of decisions, and a range of measures will be implemented, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy states in his evening address.
"We are grateful to everyone who is trying to promote diplomacy. But it is Russia that rejects peace proposals. And it rejects all of them: American, and, by the way, Chinese, European, Brazilian, African, and Indian," the Ukrainian President said.
Zelenskyy noted that no matter who says the war must be stopped, Russian leader Vladimir Putin doesn't listen. He is the one telling the whole world which cities he threatens and "which nation supposedly does not exist."
The Ukrainian President expressed hope that US President Donald Trump will hear this. And, in addition, see how Putin is now trying to prolong the existence of even the Iranian regime in order to extend the time of "his own madness and the murder of thousands of people."
"There definitely must be a response. Everyone in the world has to decide. For our part, in Ukraine, we have made a number of new decisions, taking into account the frankness of the Russian murderers who declare that they are not going to stop," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Strengthening sanctions
The Ukrainian President stated that, first of all, there will be new international steps by Ukraine "for the sake of truly impactful international sanctions against Russia."
"I've instructed that special work be done with the global corporate sector, especially regarding what maintains connections between Russia's energy sector and defense industry with the world," Zelenskyy said.
In addition, sanctions work will be intensified directly within Ukraine. Particularly, to ensure that everyone who still helps or cooperates with Russia, or maintains businesses in the occupied territories, feels that this is criminal activity.
"Justice must be ensured, including through domestic decisions," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Resources for drones
The second step is that the state will allocate more resources to "Ukrainian drones of all types."
"From deep strikes to specific defense against Russian boots on the front line," the Ukrainian President noted.
Changes in personnel
Zelenskyy announced that there would be changes in some personnel positions, particularly in the Ukrainian diplomatic corps, as well as in the management of institutions. This will be done in order to strengthen both Ukraine's potential in relations with partners and its internal resilience.
"As for the diplomatic corps, within a month - including in the format of a meeting with all Ukrainian ambassadors - we will draw conclusions regarding this transformation. This is now a month of special measures to create new pressure on Russia - on the occupier - to make their situation more difficult, and therefore, to make our path to peace easier," the Ukrainian President said.
Zelenskyy also added that the details of today's instructions to the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) are not public. Separate decisions by the National Security and Defense Council are being prepared.
"In fact, on a daily basis we will be informing you about what Ukrainian diplomats are doing to achieve our Ukrainian goals," the Head of State concluded.
Zelenskyy recently stated that Russia is trying to drive a wedge between the US and Ukraine by demonstrating supposed readiness for dialogue. It is for this reason that Russia agrees to conduct large-scale prisoner exchanges.
