Zelenskyy Pushes for Peace Talks and Financial Aid as Tensions Rise in Eastern Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated that Kyiv is ready for peace negotiations anywhere except Russia and Belarus, emphasizing that Ukrainian forces will not retreat or give up any territory. In statements reported by Reuters and AFP, Zelenskyy highlighted the critical need for European financial support to sustain Ukraine's resistance against Russian forces for another two to three years. Zelenskyy underscored his message during conversations with European leaders, urging them to demonstrate a commitment to stable financial backing rather than expecting Ukraine to engage in a prolonged conflict. His remarks come amid complications surrounding the European Union's initiative to utilize frozen Russian assets as financial aid for Ukraine, which is currently stymied by Belgium's opposition. The timing of these discussions is significant, as Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, facing domestic pressure over draft budget concerns, is set to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte later today. The topic of financial assistance for Ukraine will likely feature prominently in their talks. In a separate development, Zelenskyy called on U.S. President Donald Trump to intensify pressure on Chinese President Xi Jinping to reduce China's support for Russia during their upcoming meeting. "I think this could be one of Trump's strong moves, especially if, following decisive sanctions, China is prepared to cut back its imports from Russia," he stated to journalists. On the other hand, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed his discontent with Trump's sanctions against Russian oil majors, labeling them as misguided from Hungary's perspective and warning they could lead to heightened energy prices. Orbán's viewpoint appears to be in the minority, as Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen praised the new U.S. sanctions, viewing them as a decisive action against Russia amid the ongoing war. Meanwhile, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko criticized Lithuania's recent closure of its border with Belarus, deeming it a 'crazy scam' aimed at disrupting Chinese trade. He claimed Lithuania's justifications for the border closure, which were reportedly due to smuggling incidents involving balloons, were absurd, and he expressed willingness to apologize if there was genuine fault. Additionally, Lukashenko condemned the west's plans to use frozen Russian assets as theft, maintaining that the placement of Russian missile systems in Belarus is a precaution rather than an aggressive stance. As high-level discussions continue in Europe about the conflict in Ukraine, these statements reflect the complexities and myriad political pressures faced by leaders in the region. With the Nordic Council convening to discuss various central issues, including Ukraine, more developments are expected throughout the day. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2