Ukrainian President Zelensky has urged Western leaders to use “all necessary means” to pressure Russia to achieve peace.
Speaking in Spain, Zelensky said “real coercion of Russia” was needed as it sought to “destroy Ukraine and move on.”
Zelensky has long said he will not negotiate directly with Russia until Moscow’s troops withdraw from all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
However, his call comes as Russia is making advances against Ukraine and Kiev is suffering from a shortage of Western-supplied weapons.
President Zelensky said that Russia drops about 3,200 guided bombs into Ukraine every month.
“How do you fight this?” he asked reporters in Madrid, where he met Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Ukraine’s leader has rejected the idea of inviting Russia to a peace summit in Switzerland next month.
The summit is expected to be attended by representatives from more than 90 countries.
Delegates will work to chart a course for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on ten demands from Kyiv, including the return of all invaded territory, compensation for war-related losses and the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russia for the war, which Moscow flatly rejects. this plan.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready for talks but, as Russia described the war in Ukraine, only “to achieve the goals currently being achieved through special military operations” ”.
In Madrid, Zelensky urged Western leaders to lift a ban on using donated weapons to attack internationally recognized Russian territory.
Most Western countries, including the United States, have insisted that Kiev focus its attacks on Russian forces occupying Ukrainian territory.
“We need to work together to put pressure not only on Russia but also on our partners to give us a chance to defend against Russia,” the Ukrainian leader said.
One of the conditions for Kyiv to receive billions of pounds worth of aid from its Western allies is to outline its own vision for how to end the war.
That’s why President Zelensky previously issued a “ten-point peace plan” that included a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and guarantees against future Russian aggression.
This is what Kyiv has been calling for, but the tone has changed.
The Swiss summit brought a sense of urgency to President Zelensky. He hopes to galvanize the international momentum behind his term.
So far, it has been mainly Ukraine that has called for Russia to withdraw completely, while the West has also tried to support the effort. The summit may be his only chance to make it impossible for allies to negotiate as well and block the negotiating table.
The more countries that attend, the more political pressure the Kremlin will feel.
Or at least that’s the hope.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said any form of peace agreement must “reflect the realities on the battlefield.” That reality means his forces continue to launch a massive cross-border offensive into the Kharkov region in northeastern Ukraine. As a result, more villages were occupied.
As has been the case for the past 18 months, his soldiers will not only seize territory but also hold it. Russia, or Vladimir Putin, does not have to compromise on anything yet.
But Kiev believes any compromise or gray area will play into Moscow’s hands. It points to the failure of ceasefires during a decade of Russian aggression and Putin’s argument that he ultimately wants to capture all of Ukraine as the world’s eyes turn elsewhere.
Ukrainian commanders claim to have the situation under control, and President Zelensky’s resumption of international travel may reflect this.
Another reason driving his trip to Madrid was the ever-present need to combat war fatigue and ensure continued military and humanitarian aid.
The $1bn (£783m) package announced by Spain shows Mr Zelensky’s diplomacy can still deliver results.
President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
