- Zelensky's plea comes as Russia gains ground in Ukraine
- Zelensky's 10-point peace plan has been a cornerstone
- The plan demands the return of all invaded territory
In a passionate appeal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Western leaders to use “all means” necessary to pressure Russia into achieving peace in Ukraine.
Speaking in Madrid, Spain, Zelensky emphasized the need for “tangible coercion of Russia” to prevent further destruction and aggression.
Zelensky’s plea comes as Russia gains ground in Ukraine, with Kyiv facing a shortage of Western-supplied weapons.
Despite this, the Ukrainian leader remains resolute in his refusal to negotiate with Russia directly until Moscow’s forces withdraw from all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
The Ukrainian president highlighted the severity of the situation, revealing that Russia drops approximately 3,200 guided aerial bombs on Ukraine each month.
He questioned how Ukraine can defend itself against such aggression without sufficient support.
Zelensky also rejected the idea of inviting Russia to a planned peace summit in Switzerland next month, citing Moscow’s rejection of Kyiv’s 10-point peace plan.
The plan demands the return of all invaded territory, reparation payments, and the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes.
The Ukrainian leader urged Western leaders to lift bans on donated weapons being used to strike internationally recognized Russian territory.
He emphasized the need for collective pressure on Russia and Western partners to provide Ukraine with the means to defend itself.
Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan has been a cornerstone of Ukraine’s vision for ending the war. With the summit in Switzerland approaching, he seeks to galvanize international support behind his terms, making a complete Russian retreat a non-negotiable condition for allies.
The outcome of the summit and the war remains uncertain, with Russian President Vladimir Putin insisting that any peace deal must “reflect the reality on the battlefield.” As Russia continues its offensive in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, Zelensky’s diplomatic efforts aim to combat war fatigue and secure continued military and humanitarian aid.
