Zelensky tells European summit Ukraine needs ‘sufficient weapons, not support in talks’
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on European leaders to supply Kyiv with more weapons rather than pushing for negotiations with Moscow. Speaking at the European Political Community Summit in Budapest, Zelensky criticized some European leaders for urging “concessions” to Vladimir Putin and advocated “peace through strength” as the best approach to confronting Russia.
“The concept of ‘peace through strength’ has proven its realism and effectiveness more than once. Now, it is needed once more,” he said.
We are defending ourselves not against Russian words, but against Russian attacks. Therefore, we need sufficient weapons, not support in talks. Hugs with Putin will not help. Some leaders have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse. He thinks only about wars and will not change. Only pressure can put limits on him.
Zelensky also called on European leaders to find a mechanism to direct frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, “so they can be put to work as quickly as possible.”