Ukraine has never wanted a single moment of this war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening video address, quoted by Ukrinform and BTA.
Zelensky stressed that this has already become a habit of the Russian side - to wage war against its neighbors, to spread hatred and destroy human lives.
„We all want this to end. Peace is needed - and it must be lasting. That is why Ukraine always works constructively with its partners in all formats that can bring security and restore peace. We are not just ready for a quick peace - Ukraine has never wanted this war, not for a second. And every day Ukraine defends life,“ Zelensky said.
He recalled that 34 days ago Ukraine responded positively to the US proposal for a complete and unconditional ceasefire - a cessation of all such strikes, such as those on Sumy, Krivoy Rog, Dnipro, Kupyansk and Berislav, as well as along the entire front line.
“And for 34 days now Russia has openly refused to cease fire. And now - just as it has been for many years - Putin remains focused on continuing the war. Focused on strikes like these. Focused on killings. "Russian state propagandists are preparing their audience for the idea that negotiations and diplomacy will not lead to any results," Zelensky said.
According to him, there is only one reason for this - "Moscow is not afraid right now."
"And if there is not enough strong pressure on Russia, they will continue to do what they are used to - they will continue to wage war," he concluded.