Zelensky seeks tougher sanctions after major Russian strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday announced he will ask European and American partners for tougher measures against Moscow, following a major Russian aerial assault on the country's energy and transport infrastructure.
Russian forces launched more than 500 drones and dozens of missiles at Ukrainian territory. Anti-air defences shot down 430 drones and 21 missiles, but 69 drones and three missiles struck 14 sites across several regions. Reuters reports the attacks caused significant damage and injured at least nine people.
"These are symbolic strikes," Mr Zelensky said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. "Only the lack of sufficient pressure, especially on Russia’s war economy, allows this aggression to continue."
The Ukrainian leader said he will discuss new restrictive measures with partners in the coming days. He will attend a summit with Nordic and Baltic countries on Wednesday, before travelling to France to discuss the next steps with European and American allies in the "coalition of the willing" — the group of states that have pledged to help Ukraine.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that on Friday in Paris, or shortly after, clarity could be provided on what security guarantees allies will be able to offer Kyiv.
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Washington could support a European peacekeeping plan, but ruled out sending American soldiers to Ukraine. Russia has already rejected the idea of future Western peacekeeping troops on Ukrainian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in a military parade in Beijing, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned that "the world is facing a choice between peace and war." German opposition leader Friedrich Merz said Putin is "possibly the most dangerous war criminal of our time."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
