Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that more pressure must be placed on Russia to attain a sustainable ceasefire. Moscow continues to attack Kyiv despite a ‘limited ceasefire’ agreed by Russian President Vladimir Putin a few days ago.
“For more than a week now, there has been a proposal for a complete ceasefire. And there is no silence still, only because Putin does not accept this proposal. Therefore, pressure is needed, a pressure on Russia,”
Stated Zelenskyy at a joint press briefing in Kyiv.
He expresses Putin is continuing to act as an “aggressor” in the war, insisting on more diplomatic measures to steer the more than three-year long war towards a lasting peace.
“Of course, we support the need for strong diplomacy and we want an end to this war as soon as possible,”
Stated Zelenskyy.
“But always remember that strong diplomacy can only be the one that helps to put pressure on the cause of this war, on the aggressor. And every day, the world receives new and new evidence that the only cause of this war is Putin, it is his Russia,”
Also said Zelenskyy.
Over the past few days, Zelenskyy has maintained a hardline perspective on the need and urgency for his government to obtain enough security guarantees to defend itself against any recurring threats or aggression from Moscow. He said that while diplomacy is necessary, it on its own is not sufficient to preserve a ceasefire and is not sustainable.
Why does Zelenskyy say the UN cannot guarantee security?
The Ukrainian leader stated that his country maintains logical ties with the United Nations – including active communication with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres – but does not consider the organization as a substitute for delegations or security guarantees on which an end to the war can be based.
Zelenskyy claimed that while the UN plays a vital role in global diplomacy and the advancement of diplomacy, it does not have the authorization or the power to guarantee Kyiv’s security in the case that Russian President Putin decides to resume his invasion following any possible ceasefire deal. Zelenskyy declares he is hopeful the next rounds of discussions will bring about a way to a permanent end of hostilities and a “silence in the sky.”
