Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for intensified global pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the three-year-long invasion, as Ukrainian and U.S. officials engaged in ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
“No matter what we discuss with our partners, we must push Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes. The one who started this war must be the one to end it,” Zelenskyy said in a social media address Sunday evening.
Talks in Riyadh centered on a possible ceasefire in the Black Sea, with Ukrainian representatives meeting U.S. officials late Sunday. Meanwhile, Russian officials are scheduled to hold separate discussions with their American counterparts on Monday.
Putin has rejected a joint U.S.-Ukrainian proposal for a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire, agreeing only to halt aerial strikes on energy infrastructure.
Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have intensified air attacks in recent days, escalating hostilities ahead of the negotiations.
“It is clear to everyone that Russia alone is prolonging this war,” Zelenskyy stated. “An unconditional ceasefire has been on the table since March 11—these attacks could have ended by now. But Russia continues its strikes, causing destruction every day and night.”
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that without sustained international pressure, Moscow would keep disregarding diplomacy and extending the conflict.
“Without pressure on Russia, they will continue to reject real diplomacy and destroy lives,” Zelenskyy warned.
