Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Russia is preparing its forces for further offensives rather than working to end the war in Ukraine. His remarks came after talks with the leaders of India and Saudi Arabia, part of his push to rally support for Kyiv outside of Europe.
Zelenskyy won diplomatic backing from Europe and the NATO alliance on Sunday, amid fears that the U.S. and Russian leaders may try to dictate terms for ending the 3-1/2-year war during their Friday summit in Alaska.
Today, there was a report from the intelligence and military command about what Putin is counting on and what he is actually preparing for. In particular, military preparations. He is certainly not getting ready for a ceasefire and war end,” Zelenskyy said in a nightly address.
He added, without providing any specifics, that Russia was moving its troops for new operations on Ukrainian soil.
“There is no sign that the Russians have received signals to prepare for a post-war situation,” he said.
Further Assaults
Vladyslav Voloshyn, Ukraine’s military spokesperson for the southern frontline sector, said on Monday that Russia was moving some of its units in the Zaporizhzhia region for further assaults.
In separate statements on Monday, Zelenskyy said he had spoken to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both of whom have taken cautious diplomatic positions on Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
India is a major buyer of Russian oil, and Saudi Arabia has pitched itself as a mediator in the conflict. Zelenskyy said he spoke to both leaders about strengthening Ukraine’s position in any peace process.
“Communication with leaders is ongoing practically around the clock – we are in constant touch,” he wrote on X. “Now is the moment when there is a real chance to achieve peace.”
In his “long conversation” with Modi, Zelenskyy added that he had also discussed sanctions on Russian oil. Trump last week slapped an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued imports of the product.
“I noted that it is necessary to limit the export of Russian energy, particularly oil, to reduce its potential and ability to finance the continuation of this war,” Zelenskyy said, adding that leaders with “tangible leverage over Russia” should act.
Sanction On Russia To Stay
Zelenskyy also urged his country’s allies to keep their sanctions against Russia in place until Ukraine receives security guarantees.
Putin has also made a flurry of calls in recent days, speaking to the leaders of China, India, Brazil and ex-Soviet states to brief them on his contacts with the United States about the war in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Germany will convene a virtual meeting of European leaders to discuss how to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine ahead of a European call with Trump. Zelenskyy and EU and NATO officials were expected to join the meeting.
Earlier on Monday, Zelenskyy warned that any concessions to Russia would not persuade it to stop fighting in Ukraine and that there was a need to ramp up pressure on the Kremlin.
“Russia refuses to stop the killings, and therefore must not receive any rewards or benefits,” he wrote on X.
“Concessions do not persuade a killer.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
