Zelenskyy urges the world to crush Russia's economy now to end war by 2025
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for maximum pressure on Russia. He said the Kremlin is suffering massive economic losses. There is now a chance to end the war before next year begins.
Zelenskyy said on July 26 that he reviewed reports from Ukrainian intelligence. According to him, the Foreign Intelligence Service reported on the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia and Kremlin-linked individuals.
"The enemy's losses — economic losses — are significant. They will become even more significant. I want to thank everyone worldwide who is helping. This is the moment to press Russia — press so hard that next year there will be no war," the president explained.
Zelenskyy stressed that the main goal is to force the Russian regime, led by President Vladimir Putin, to agree to peace. The Kremlin must clearly understand that it cannot outlast Ukraine and Europe.
"Sanctions must truly remove Russia’s potential. We are working for exactly this," he added.
Despite all efforts by the Russian authorities to keep the economy afloat through the defense sector, the only growing civilian industry is the funeral business. It recorded 16% growth.
Russia's largest metallurgical plant, Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), reported a sharp drop in profits in the first half of 2025. The plant earned nine times less than in the same period of 2024.
The metallurgical sector is not the only one struggling. Ukrainian intelligence predicts a complete collapse of passenger air transportation in Russia by 2027. In 2025, the number of Russian companies planning staff cuts surged sharply. Their number doubled in just six months.
