Zelenskyy: We are not seeking to end war without US

ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Ukraine is not seeking ways to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin or end the war without the US, stressing that Kyiv’s strategy depends on unity with its allies.

“Our plan is to take decisive steps together. Putin wants to divide and weaken us,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, following a meeting of the coalition of the willing.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of waging a “terrorist campaign” against Ukraine’s energy system to force civilians to endure a “cold winter” and pressure Kyiv into concessions.

“Their goals have not changed: they want to destroy us,” he said, adding Ukraine must strengthen its air defense and protect the front lines.

The Ukrainian leader called the newly imposed sanctions on Russian oil a “big step,” expressing gratitude to US President Donald Trump and other allies for backing the move.

He said the sanctions were already having a tangible effect on Russia’s economy, citing “queues at gas stations, regional bankruptcies, and a growing federal budget deficit.”

“Peace is born from pressure exerted on the aggressor. We must continue to do this,” he said, urging more action against Russian oil companies and transport networks, known as the “shadow fleet.”

Zelenskyy praised the European Council’s decision to prepare the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, describing it as “extremely important.” He expressed confidence that the decision would be finalized by year’s end, calling the latest move a “positive signal.”

Responding to a question about Washington’s reluctance to approve deliveries of long-range Tomahawk missiles, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine’s strategy depends on US cooperation:

“Without the US, we are not looking for a way to stop Putin and end this war. Our plan is to take decisive steps together.”

He added that Ukraine would have to advance its domestic production of air defense systems to maintain resilience.