The Ukrainian president recognizes difficulties on the ground. The G7 continues its financial sanctions.
Ukraine must do everything in its power to bring the war with Russia to a diplomatic end next year, President Volodimir Zelensky said. In a radio interview broadcast on Saturday, the Ukrainian head of state admitted that the situation on the battlefield in the east of the country is currently difficult and that Russia is making progress
.
He stressed that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was not interested in a peace deal.
Zelensky wants a meeting with Trump
Volodimir Zelensky noted that US law prevented him from meeting President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration next January. The Ukrainian leader said he would only speak with Donald Trump himself, rather than an envoy or adviser.“I, as the President of Ukraine, will only take seriously a conversation with the President of the United States of America, without wanting to disrespect his entourage and anyone else.
““For our part, we must do everything to ensure that this war ends next year, by diplomatic means.“ he added. These comments come as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with the Russian president on Friday and asked him to prepare to negotiate a“just and lasting peace ” in Ukraine. Furthermore, the leaders of the G7 countries reiterated on Saturday their commitment to continuing to impose“severe costs “
to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, while supporting kyiv for as long as necessary.
“Russia remains the only obstacle to a just and lasting peace”“Russia remains the only obstacle to a just and lasting peace” it is written in their joint declaration adopted“in support of kyiv as the thousandth day of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine approaches” . Italy holds the rotating presidency of the G7 this year, which also includes the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Great Britain.“The G7 confirms its commitment to imposing severe costs on Russia through sanctions, export controls and other effective measures. We are united with Ukraine“
Russian forces have captured the villages of Makarivka and Hryhorivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday. Makarivka is located south of Velika Novosilka, while Hryhorivka, which Moscow calls by its former name of Leninskoye, is located west of the town of Selidove, captured by Russia last month.
Belgium
