Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday accused Russia of not being interested in ending the war, adding that Moscow is now preparing for a new offensive campaign despite participating in peace negotiations with the U.S. this week.
In an X post on Tuesday, Mr. Zelenskyy thanked Western leaders for their diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, as well as their full support for Kyiv’s independence and territorial integrity. However, he added, Russia is not currently interested in ending the war.
“We see that the Russian army is not preparing to end the war,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote on X. “On the contrary, they are making movements that indicate preparations for new offensive operations. In such circumstances, it is important that the unity of the world is not threatened.”
Mr. Zelenskyy said that as long as Russia refuses to disengage from the war, world leaders should maintain diplomatic and economic pressure while supporting Ukraine’s defensive efforts.
“Issues related to the security of Ukraine and Europe are discussed by all of us together. Any decision must add to our joint security capabilities. And if Russia refuses to stop the killings, it must be held accountable,” he added.
Mr. Zelenskyy’s comments come ahead of an Alaska meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump on Friday. Mr. Zelenskyy and European leaders are scheduled to meet with Mr. Trump ahead of the summit on Wednesday amid fears that the U.S. leader may offer his support for peace terms more favorable to Moscow.
EU leaders issued a statement Monday asserting that any peace deal must include a ceasefire and take Ukraine and the European Union’s security into consideration.
“A Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is an integral part of any future security guarantees,” the statement, signed by all EU nations except Hungary, reads.
Despite Mr. Trump’s outspoken desire to broker a quick peace in Ukraine, sometimes clashing with the Ukrainian president, his public position on Russia and Mr. Putin has soured in recent weeks. Over the past month, Mr. Trump has promised to levy harsh secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and has spearheaded new efforts to supply new defensive weapons to Ukraine.
Mr. Trump made it clear Monday that he will not be making any deal with Russia without consulting Ukraine first.
“I’m going to meet with President Putin. And we’re going to see what he has in mind. And if it’s a fair deal, I’ll reveal it to the European Union leaders, and to the NATO leaders, and also to President Zelensky. I think out of respect, I’ll call him first. And then I’ll call them after,” the president said Monday. “And I’m going to tell them what kind of a deal. I’m not going to make a deal. It’s not up to me to make a deal.”
Mr. Zelenskyy’s fears over renewed Russian attacks are not without evidence. On Monday, Russian forces made a sudden and successful push into the eastern Ukrainian coal mining town of Dobropillia. The attack is likely part of Russia’s efforts to maintain control of Ukraine’s Donetsk region, which has seen some of the most intense fighting of the war.
The successful offensive may provide Russia with significant leverage during the summit with Mr. Trump this week. Russia has sought to create a buffer zone on Ukraine’s eastern border by maintaining control over certain sectors. Mr. Trump has said that any successful peace deal may involve the trading of territory “to the betterment of both.” However, Trump has said he is going to “try and get some of that territory back for Ukraine.”
