Zelenskyy made the statement during a press conference in Uzhhorod with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, whom he urged to cease all oil imports from Russia. The meeting highlighted a stark divergence in their outlooks on the war; while Fico expressed optimism for a quick end to the conflict and a future "normalization" of relations with Moscow, Zelenskyy remains focused on military pressure.
In a separate meeting, Zelenskyy detailed ambitious postwar security guarantees proposed by allies. Following French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that 26 nations have pledged support, Zelenskyy confirmed that thousands of troops could be deployed to Ukraine as part of an international force to deter future Russian aggression once the war concludes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a sharp warning in response, stating that any Western troops placed in Ukraine would be considered "legitimate targets" for Russian strikes, framing such a move as a direct violation of Moscow's longstanding objections to NATO presence in the country.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's allies are preparing a new campaign of economic pressure. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that a new set of sanctions against Russia is being prepared, asserting that "Mr. Putin is the cause of this war" and will not be allowed to dictate the terms of peace.
A significant financial hurdle remains, however. The Belgian foreign minister warned that seizing frozen Russian central bank assets—a move under consideration to fund Ukraine's reconstruction—could inflict "major damage" on Europe's economy and deal a "severe blow to the credibility of the euro."
In a related development, Australia’s Ukrainian community is urging its government to intervene for the release of captured soldier Oscar Jenkins, who was sentenced to 13 years in a Russian prison on charges of being a "mercenary," a designation advocates call a political tactic to deter foreign fighters.