Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted feeling “a little bit” of pressure on Saturday following President Trump’s urging for him to accelerate efforts toward a peace deal.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine would proceed with elections—the action President Trump has been advocating for—if the United States could persuade Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
“Secure a ceasefire for us. President Trump is capable of this. He should urge Putin to agree to a ceasefire, and then our Parliament can amend the law, paving the way for elections,” Zelensky stated at the Munich Security Conference.
“We could also propose a ceasefire to the Russians on the condition that they conduct elections in Russia,” he added.
These remarks follow Trump’s recent implication that Zelensky is responsible for the deadlock in the negotiations.
“Russia is willing to make a deal, and Zelensky needs to take action, or he risks missing a significant opportunity,” Trump commented on Friday when questioned by reporters about his ongoing insistence that Ukraine hold elections by summer. “He must take steps forward.”
Zelensky cast a defiant tone when discussing possible Ukrainian land concessions as part of an overarching deal — casting doubt on the belief they would lead to an enduring peace.
“It would be an illusion to believe that this war can now be reliably ended by dividing Ukraine — just as it was an illusion to believe that sacrificing Czechoslovakia would save Europe from a greater war,” Zelensky said.
The embattled Ukrainian president also had harsh words for his wartime opponent, Russian President Vladimir Putin — painting him as an isolated and eccentric warmonger.
“Putin does not live like ordinary people, he does not walk the streets, you will not see him in a cafe… Putin consults more with Czar Peter and Empress Catherine about territorial gains than with any living person,” Zelensky said.
Meanwhile, five Ukrainians were killed and 13 wounded in Russian strikes overnight.
The Kremlin launched 112 drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile at Ukraine at around 6:30 pm, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Ukraine was able to shoot down 90 drones, but at least 18 made it past their air defenses and attacked 11 different targets in the country. Two spots were hit by falling debris from downed drones, the Ukrainian Air Force said.
Russia’s aerial assault targeted 31 settlements in Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast, killing two — including a 52-year-old man — and injuring four, the Kyiv Independent reported.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian forces bombarded 41 settlements in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast with 655 strikes, killing one and wounding three others.
A teen boy, 16, and 23-year-old man were injured in strikes targeting Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast that also killed a 44-year-old woman.
