Zelenskyy gives clear response to Putin over war 'pause' claims
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called statements by Russian leader Vladimir Putin about a pause in the war false and said Ukraine needs not a temporary lull but a full end to the war, according to a Financial Times publication.
Zelenskyy stressed that Kremlin claims suggesting Ukraine intends to use a possible ceasefire to regroup are "demagoguery and lies."
According to the president, Russia itself needs a pause no less than Ukraine, as it mobilizes around 40,000 troops each month and suffers significant losses on the frontline.
He emphasized that Ukraine needs a real ceasefire, "yesterday, today, and tomorrow," but that the key objective remains ending the war rather than securing a short-term pause.
Citing Ukrainian intelligence, Zelenskyy said Russian advances in 2025 have been extremely slow and accompanied by heavy losses. He also pointed to contested frontline areas where Moscow claims control but does not actually hold positions.
The president additionally reported recent Ukrainian gains in the southeastern direction, which he said were made possible in part by limiting Russian forces’ unauthorized use of satellite communication systems.
Ukraine-Russia negotiations
Following the latest negotiations in Geneva, the sides moved closer on military issues, including mechanisms for monitoring a potential ceasefire, although no progress has been achieved on political questions. Control over the non-occupied part of Donbas remains the key issue.
The next round of negotiations could take place before the end of February, Zelenskyy said.
