© https://www.president.gov.ua/ Only a ceasefire will signal that Russia is ready for diplomacy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a number of states have expressed their willingness to become a platform for possible negotiations with Russia on ending the war.
“I had a report from Defense Minister Rustem Umerov after his trips to Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Cooperation with Switzerland is also ongoing. Each of these countries is ready to provide a platform for negotiations. I am grateful to them for this. I am also waiting for Andriy Yermak's report after the meetings in the US. And in the coming days we are preparing negotiations in Europe,” the head of state said.
Zelensky also stressed the consequences of Russia's new night attack. According to him, the enemy launched massive strikes on various regions of Ukraine – from Kharkiv to Lutsk. The Kyiv region, Dnipropetrovsk region and Zaporizhia were under fire. In Zaporizhia itself, 29 people were injured, including three children. One person died.
The President reported that the Russian army used more than 500 drones and 45 missiles, of which the Ukrainian air defense destroyed the majority: six ballistic and 32 cruise missiles, as well as 510 unmanned aerial vehicles, mostly “Shaheeds.”
“This is the second such massive strike in a week. Moscow once again shows that without serious pressure from the world, the war will not stop,” Zelensky emphasized.
He also noted that he had discussed the situation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who supported the idea of an immediate ceasefire as a signal of Russia's readiness for real diplomacy.
“We have been preparing for the meeting in Europe for weeks. We are doing everything to ensure a tough reaction to Russia's actions,” the head of state added.
Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the expected meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine will not take place.
