The president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenskystated that the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putinis intensifying its military offensive to put pressure on the United States and force him to “accept Russia’s conditions.”
These statements respond to the latest announcements from Russia, in which Putin warned that the Russian Army is already working to identify new targets in Ukraine to attack them with Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles.
According to Zelensky, this strategy is intended sabotage the efforts of US president-elect Donald Trumpto reach an agreement to end the war.
“Putin wants to escalate the situation now so that President Trump cannot end the war”Zelensky noted in a speech to the nation this Thursday. The Ukrainian president urged his international allies to respond forcefully to the Kremlin’s “blackmail”, intensifying military and economic support for Ukraine.
“We need a just peace, a peace through force, not this series of catastrophes in which a dictator in Moscow has been imposing his conditions with his missiles on each new leader for 25 years now.”Zelensky declared.
The concept of “peace through strength” has become a recurring slogan of the Ukrainian government and has also been adopted by Trump, who will take office in January.
Ukraine, however, is working to convince the president-elect not to accept an agreement that benefits Russia to the detriment of the territorial integrity and security that kyiv claims.
Zelensky stressed that any negotiation must be accompanied by a firm stance towards Putin, who, according to him, seeks manipulate diplomacy with threats and attacks.
Zelensky took advantage of his speech to thank Netherlands the announcement of new shuttles Patriot missiles and the Norwegian government to approve an aid package of at least 3.2 billion dollars by 2025. These supports, he noted, are crucial to face the “massive russian attacks” that have hit Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in recent days.
“In days like these, when we face massive Russian attacks, it is crucial to feel that our partners are with us shoulder to shoulder”said the Ukrainian president.
On Thursday, Russia carried out an attack with around 200 missiles and drones that hit various regions of Ukraine, severely damaging the country’s energy infrastructure.
The president of the United States, Joe Bidendescribed this attack as “outrageous” and “horrible””, and reiterated his administration’s commitment to the defense of Ukraine.
““This attack is another reminder of the urgency and importance of supporting the Ukrainian people in their defense against Russian aggression.”Biden said in a statement.
The US president assured that his government has worked to strengthen Ukraine’s energy network in the face of the arrival of winter and has sent hundreds of missiles, artillery and armored vehicles as part of efforts to resist Russian attacks.
Biden also highlighted the support of more than 50 countries for Ukraine, which continue to send military and humanitarian aid in response to the Kremlin’s aggression.
(With information from EFE)
