**Ukrainian President Rejects Russian Advances, Calls for Stronger Sanctions**
In a recent interview with German outlet Bild, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed reports of Russia’s significant military gains in the ongoing war. He insisted that Ukrainian forces have been successfully repelling a renewed Russian push for nearly three weeks, contrary to claims that Russia is winning the conflict.
According to Zelenskyy, the idea that Russia is making major strides is simply “a Russian narrative” designed to mislead and manipulate public opinion. He also stressed that recent drone attacks by Russia on Ukrainian cities are not a response to a Ukrainian operation targeting Russian strategic bombers, but rather an attempt by President Vladimir Putin to justify further aggression.
**Russia’s True Intentions**
Zelenskyy painted a dire picture of Russia’s goals in the conflict, stating that Moscow is seeking to avoid new sanctions and isolate Ukraine. He argued that Trump’s push for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow has given Russia an opportunity to stall any meaningful progress while allowing them to “keep talking” about negotiations.
The Ukrainian President warned that this tactic will allow Russia to maintain a semblance of legitimacy, thereby keeping their own population on board with the invasion. Zelenskyy noted that Putin needs to keep fueling public support for his radical policies and that this is achieved by portraying attacks as revenge for supposed Ukrainian aggression.
**Two Goals, One Result: Isolating Ukraine**
Zelenskyy highlighted two main goals of Russia’s diplomatic efforts: avoiding new sanctions and isolating Ukraine. He emphasized that if the US and Europe do not take decisive action to impose meaningful sanctions on Russia, Putin will be able to pursue his original objectives without any significant opposition.
The second objective, as stated by Zelenskyy, is to isolate Ukraine by sidelining its international partners in peace talks, effectively rendering Kyiv unable to receive meaningful support from the global community.
**A Call for Action**
Zelenskyy urged President Trump to move forward with new sanctions against Russia, stressing that these measures are crucial in preventing further escalation. He pointed out that any delays would give Putin the opportunity to adapt and recover, ultimately weakening Ukraine’s position.
The Ukrainian President acknowledged criticism of sanctions but emphasized their necessity in this crisis situation. As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to rise, Zelenskyy remains steadfast in his call for action from the international community to help bring an end to the conflict on favorable terms for Ukraine.
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