“These are some of the most active diplomatic days of the year right now, and a lot can be decided before the new Year,” Zelenskyy further wrote, in part. “We are doing everything toward this, but whether decisions will be made depends on our partners – those who help Ukraine, and those who put pressure on Russia so that Russians feel the consequences of their own aggression.”
Zelenskyy told journalists in a WhatsApp chat on Saturday that Ukraine has agreed to “many different compromises,” but stressed those only make sense if the country is fully protected from the day after a ceasefire.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of continued Western support, stating, “If the whole world — Europe and America — is on our side, together we will stop Putin. If anyone — whether the U.S. or Europe — is on Russia’s side, this means the war will continue.”
Russian President vladimir Putin, meanwhile, claimed Saturday that the West is offering Ukraine favorable conditions on security, reconstruction, and relations with Russia, but suggested that Kyiv is not interested in a peaceful settlement.
Speaking during a visit to a military command post, Putin stated that Russia will achieve its objectives by military means if Ukraine’s leadership does not agree to a peace deal.
Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism regarding Putin’s stated willingness to end the invasion, describing Moscow’s recent massive combined missile and drone strike as “the answer to peace.”
on Saturday, Zelenskyy asserted that Russia’s continued attacks demonstrate “the real attitude of Putin and his entourage. they don’t want to end the war and are trying to use every chance to inflict more pain on Ukraine and increase their pressure on others in the world.”
Ukraine also continued its own long-range strike campaign against Russia into sunday morning.Russia’s Defense Ministry reported its forces downed at least 25 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Temporary flight restrictions were introduced at airports in Samara, Ulyanovsk, Penza, Yaroslavl and Kaluga, according to Russia’s federal air transport agency — Rosaviatsiya.
