Zelensky : We Do not See Russia Wanting to Stop, More Pressure is Needed
President said to US senators during online meeting
The Gaze reports on it according to President official site.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held an online meeting with US senators, during which they discussed the situation on the front lines, strengthening air defense, increasing pressure on Russia, and efforts to return Ukrainian children kidnapped by the Russian Federation.
“On behalf of all Ukrainians, we thank you for your bipartisan support. We are grateful to the United States, your country. We are grateful to President Trump for some of the initiatives we will discuss today. And thank you very much for being with us all this time," he said.
The President reported on the situation on the front lines, particularly in Pokrovsk, and stressed that during October, Russia lost the largest number of manpower since the start of the full-scale invasion – more than 25,000 killed. The motivation of the Russian occupiers is falling, but their authorities will use various incentives, including money.
According to Zelensky, Russia does not want to stop the war, but is only increasing its military presence in Ukraine, so pressure on it must be increased. Particular attention should be paid to the use of frozen Russian assets to defend Ukraine. The senators said that they are working on this issue and are preparing a corresponding bill.
Volodymyr Zelensky also thanked the US and President Trump personally for the sanctions imposed and called for continued work in this direction.
"We really want the Senate and Congress to support secondary sanctions. I know this is a sensitive issue, but it is very important to us. And, of course, we really need your ideas on stronger sanctions against the energy sector," the President said. He also provided information on the weapons Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russian aggression, in particular Tomahawk missiles and strengthening air defense.
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham assured that they would continue to work on promoting their bills on sanctions and on recognizing Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism if it did not return the abducted Ukrainian children. According to them, this bill has broad bipartisan support.
During the conversation, they discussed in detail the work to return Ukrainian children and the personal efforts of US First Lady Melania Trump. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the parents of the children who were returned with her assistance wrote a letter of gratitude to the First Lady of the United States.
In addition, the senators assured Ukraine of the continued bipartisan support of the United States and noted the courage of the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian aggression.