Zelenskyy Urges Trump: Pressure Russia, Not Ukraine, to End the War

Ukrainian President's Appeal

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Donald Trump to increase pressure on Russia, rather than Ukraine, to bring the war to an end. He expressed a willingness to negotiate but stated that such talks cannot be based on the condition of ceding territory. Zelenskyy also criticized the stance of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, asserting that he is blocking support for Ukraine. This appeal comes as the United States prepares for a pivotal election, with foreign policy towards the conflict being a central issue.

“We need negotiations. We support them. We do not trust Russia, but I think and trust that the Americans genuinely want to end this war. I hope they will help us, but we need more pressure on Russia, not on me.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The President further emphasized that Orbán's position is unacceptable, pointing out that “he stands on the side of the Russian leader. He is doing the same thing-blocking everything for Ukraine.”

Military Aid and Cooperation with Germany

In discussions on military assistance for Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner reviewed the continuation of military support. This year, Germany's military aid to Ukraine will amount to 11.5 billion euros. Furthermore, in February, Zelenskyy visited the first joint Ukrainian-German drone manufacturing enterprise, signaling an expansion of joint production in this sector. Germany has become one of Ukraine's largest military and financial backers since the full-scale invasion began.

The outlined priorities also include:

• strengthening air defense capabilities;
• developing the PURL program;
• the need for additional contributions to bolster Ukraine's defensive capacity.

Under these circumstances, it is crucial for international partners to support Ukraine on all levels.

President Zelenskyy's statements reflect the current challenges Ukraine faces in its war with Russia. Specifically, the appeal to international partners, notably the United States, underscores that Ukraine is seeking not only military but also political support to achieve peace on its own terms. Simultaneously, the criticism of Hungary's position may indicate a need for greater consolidation of efforts among European partners to ensure stability in the region.