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Zelenskyy: Putin's planning to keep fighting, not looking for ways out of the war

Zelenskyy: Putin's planning to keep fighting, not looking for ways out of the war Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Author: Daryna Vialko

Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to continue fighting against Ukraine. He is not looking for ways out of the war, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Rome.

"We are now in the middle of the year, and the first half has made many things clear. It's now obvious to all partners that Russia is blocking all peace efforts, and it was Putin who rejected the ceasefire proposal, including one brought by the United States. We see that Russia is not only pushing on with the attacks on the front and trying to expand the war, but also still putting huge resources into weapons production. Putin is planning to keep fighting, and he is not looking for ways out of this war," the President said.

According to him, the joint actions of Ukraine and its allies have created strategic problems for Russia.

The President noted that due to sanctions, Russia has no promising future. However, he added that Russia still has the ability to continue the war, which is why it is necessary to increase pressure together.

He proposed that this should be a key focus during the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.

Zelenskyy said he would speak about Ukrainian soldiers and how to support them, about weapons, especially drones, which Ukraine and Europe could produce in greater quantity and with higher quality than Russia. He also planned to discuss Ukraine’s relationship with the United States and the defense capabilities that only the US possesses and that Ukraine really needs. The President added that it is in Europe's common interest. Additionally, he intended to raise the issue of real security guarantees.

The representatives of the United States took part in the Coalition of the Willing meeting for the first time. These included President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who are promoting a bill to impose sanctions against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently visiting Rome. Today, July 10, another meeting of the Coalition of the Willing is being held there, along with the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which has already taken place.

In addition, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Zelenskyy would hold further talks with US representatives today. The agenda will include sanctions policy and the upcoming adoption of a new US sanctions package against Russia.