The Ukrainian president told European leaders this Thursday that it is necessary to ensure that Russia does not return to the peace negotiations in a position of strength.
“But with what mentality will the Russian side arrive at the negotiations this time? It is up to all of us to ensure that the Russians do not arrive at these negotiations with the feeling that their position is much stronger”, he defended in a videoconference speech at the European Council summit.
He highlighted that Russia may feel strengthened due to the war in the Middle East, not only due to the rise in oil prices, but also due to a possible perception in Moscow that Kiev “will be short” of air defense systems, which are being used by Gulf countries against Iranian attacks.
Zelensky also regretted that the 20th package of sanctions against Russia had not yet been approved in the European Union (EU) and the temporary lifting of penalties on trade in Russian oil.
“This gives a significant amount of money to the war budget of [Presidente russo, Vladimir] Putin,” he noted.
On the other hand, shortly after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán again refused to lift the block on the EU’s 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine, Zelensky warned that this loan “is critical” for Kiev.
“It is a resource to protect lives and, even today, we do not know if this support will be unlocked”, he stated.
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