❗️Zelensky says Putin rejected proposals to test his intentions, including leader-level talks on territory and deploying US and European troops along the front line. He adds Moscow downplays land demands while targeting Donbas, warning this signals plans for further advances deeper into Ukraine.

💯 Zelensky: The Russians know that if we withdraw our troops from Donbas, it will divide our nation. Many people will oppose this. If the unity of Ukraine is undermined, Putin will come up with a new “blitzkrieg” to occupy Ukraine very quickly.

Even if this does not happen, he will use the further pause to recruit more people, train them, build up the military-industrial base and achieve the lifting of sanctions.

Therefore, a ceasefire in the format of “standing where we stand” is not only our desire, it is also in the interests of our partners.

Ukraine's decision to give up its nuclear weapons was a mistake and a deception, Zelensky says.

🇺🇦🇺🇸 Zelensky: I told our American partners that they can tell if Putin wants peace by answering these questions.

First, try to arrange a meeting at the leadership level to discuss territories. Putin refused.

Second, if he does not want to continue the aggression after the ceasefire, offer to deploy American and European troops along the contact line. Putin’s answer was, “No, no foreign troops.” Why? That can only mean that he wants to move on.

Third, he has about 17 million square kilometers of territory. Yet he tells the Americans, “Look, what’s the problem? It’s only 6,000 square kilometers.” Can you imagine someone who has millions of square kilometers, 70% of which is underdeveloped and has no proper infrastructure, asking for more? Do we really believe that all he needs is an additional 5,800 square kilometers?

That is not his goal. Donbas is a strategic place in Ukraine. Once he gets our industrial cities and fortifications in that region, all that will be left is open fields and direct roads to our regional centers. I mean, we understand why he wants Donbas.

A massive explosion just rocked the Russian city of Vladikavkaz, Exilenova+ reports.

🇺🇸🇪🇺🇺🇦 Zelensky: If the United States is really thinking about leaving NATO, then Europe’s security will be based solely on the European Union. But not in its current form. I think the EU is in a situation where it needs additional countries.

UK, Ukraine, Turkey and Norway. These are four strong countries that are part of Europe. Together, the armies of Great Britain, Ukraine and Turkey are stronger than Russia’s. Without Ukraine and Turkey, Europe cannot match Russia. With these four countries, you can control the seas, have protected skies and the largest land forces.

This is not about an offensive, because when Russia decides to have an army of 2.5 million people by 2030, Europe has to think about security and how to maintain its independence. Great Britain was once a member of the European Union.

There are concerns about agriculture in the case of Turkey. But all this can be dealt with if the economy is really strong. However, security comes first, and the economy comes second. Not the other way around.