Zelenskyy says Putin is showing the middle finger to the world
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
After the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) Spiderweb operation, the Kremlin began speaking of a "response." Russia feels untouchable, and without decisive pressure, the aggressor will not stop, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy emphasized that many have engaged in dialogue with Russia at various levels, but none of the talks have led even to a halt in the war — let alone to a lasting peace.
"Unfortunately, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin feels no consequences for his actions. Even after all the horrific Russian strikes, he is reportedly preparing more so-called responses. This means that with every new attack, with every new delay in diplomacy, Russia is showing the middle finger to the entire world — to everyone unwilling to increase pressure on it," the president remarked.
At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that it is Russia that must be the one seeking peace.
"It is there, in Moscow, where they must understand that war comes at a cost — a heavy cost, and the highest one must be paid by the aggressor. If the world reacts weakly to Putin's threats, he sees it as a signal that the world is willing to turn a blind eye to his actions. When he does not feel strength and pressure, but senses weakness instead, he always commits new crimes. He interprets such an attitude as silent permission — for more atrocities, more strikes, more killings," the Ukrainian leader said.
He stressed that this is precisely why Ukraine is so grateful to everyone around the world who is working to stop the war and the Russian attacks.
"To everyone who tells the killer that he will receive the punishment he deserves. To everyone who says that Russian missiles and bombs must stop taking human lives. Russia must bring back peace," he emphasized.
Moreover, the president emphasized that if the strong do not stop Putin, it means they share responsibility with him.
"And if they want to stop him but cannot, Putin will no longer consider them strong," the head of Ukraine concluded.
Earlier today US President Donald Trump held a conversation with Russian President Putin.
They discussed, in particular, the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) strikes on Russia's strategic aviation. After the conversation, Trump reported that Putin had allegedly said very firmly that he would be forced to respond to the recent attacks on airbases.
During the conversation, Trump allegedly told Putin that he was unaware of the SBU's plans to attack the airbases.
Operation Spiderweb
On Sunday, June 1, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out a unique and historic operation to destroy Russian strategic bombers used by the enemy to launch strikes on Ukrainian territory.
Drones struck four military bases, and according to SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, the drone attacks damaged more than 40 aircraft belonging to Russia's strategic aviation.
Later reports confirmed that the strikes hit 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers at its main airbases. The SBU has already calculated the total losses Russia suffered in just one day of this Ukrainian special operation.
