Zelenskyy accuses Putin of escalating war to block peace efforts
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky via video call in Kyiv. (AFP Photo)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately intensifying the war in Ukraine, claiming the ongoing missile strikes are designed to derail efforts to end the conflict and pressure global leaders into accepting Moscow’s terms.
“Putin once again promoted his missiles – his readiness to kill and destroy,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “To the thousands of missiles that have already struck Ukraine, Putin clearly wants to add thousands more. He has no interest in ending this war. Moreover, Putin wants to prevent others from ending this war.”
The remarks came amid a fresh wave of Russian missile attacks, with Zelenskyy revealing that more than 90 missiles and nearly 100 drones had been launched. Many of the strikes targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilian areas, plunging parts of the country into darkness.
“Our people have been working all day, gradually restoring power in areas where outages occurred,” he said, emphasizing the resilience of recovery efforts.
Zelenskyy praised international allies for their continued support, highlighting Norway’s recent pledge of $3.2 billion in aid and the Netherlands’ contributions of additional military and financial assistance.
“On days like these, when we face massive Russian strikes, it is crucial to feel that our partners stand shoulder to shoulder with us,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader also underscored the importance of maintaining diplomatic momentum, noting recent discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as planned talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“We must respond together to Russia’s attempt to make the situation more unbearable and prolong this war,” Zelenskyy said. “We are interested in peace — Ukraine and all our partners. Now is the time to strengthen our positions — the positions of Ukraine and our partners.”
As air raid sirens continue to sound across Ukraine, Zelenskyy urged citizens to stay vigilant and seek shelter during missile threats. He framed the concept of peace as one grounded in strength and unity among Ukraine’s allies.
“True peace is needed — peace through strength,” he said. “We need unity with all our partners to ensure Russia loses and we achieve a lasting peace.”
The accusations against Putin come as the war shows no signs of abating, with missile attacks now a defining feature of Russia’s strategy. Ukraine’s calls for a coordinated international response echo growing concerns over the conflict’s long-term trajectory.
