Zelensky calls on the world to intensify sanctions pressure against Russia in case of failure of negotiations in Istanbul
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highly appreciated the prospects of the Istanbul negotiations and emphasized that if they fail, all efforts should be directed towards increasing sanctions pressure against the Russian Federation. In his speech at the European Political Community summit held in Albania, the leader of Ukraine addressed the global community with a call to be prepared for tough measures in response to any attempts by Russia to disrupt the diplomatic process. Zelensky stressed that for Ukraine, the immediate and unconditional ceasefire is a priority, which must occur as soon as possible. "If Russian delegates in Istanbul today are unable to agree on at least this—the ceasefire, which is the first and necessary step in any process—it will become clear that the Kremlin's stance has not changed and that Putin continues to undermine diplomacy with his actions," he stated. According to Zelensky, if Russian representatives again derail the negotiations aimed at achieving results, the world will have to respond with appropriate measures. Specifically, this refers to the application of a broad set of sanctions, including against the Russian energy sector and the country's banking system. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that only sanctions pressure can force the Kremlin to change its position and stop the war. "We must impose substantial and effective sanctions until genuine progress is achieved. Ukraine is ready to take all necessary measures to end months of aggression and restore peace in our country. But for this to happen, the Russian delegation must be granted real authority to make compromises and reach agreements that can stop the killings and destruction," Zelensky underscored. The president also called on Putin to give his delegation the opportunity to reach specific agreements that would give diplomacy a chance for success—"to stop the killings long enough for genuine diplomatic settlement." He stressed that it is crucial for Ukraine that the negotiation process be entirely transparent and productive, rather than a staged spectacle that the Kremlin could use to distract the international community from the true problems of the war. It is worth noting that on May 16 in Istanbul, direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine resumed for the first time in over three years. The Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinskoy, assistant to President Vladimir Putin, represented a low level and was formed under circumstances raising many questions about its true ability to conduct constructive dialogue. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the public and experts are once again emphasizing the importance of personal meetings between presidents for finding long-term solutions to the conflict. Specifically, American leader Donald Trump has recently stated that without his personal meeting with the Kremlin leader, a peaceful resolution process is unlikely to succeed. This again underscores how complex and multifaceted the situation around the Ukraine-Russia conflict remains and how crucial global support is for its resolution. Therefore, in light of recent events and statements by the Ukrainian president, it becomes clear that the issues of ending the war and diplomatic negotiations remain among the most critical for Ukraine and the entire international community. Zelensky calls for more decisive and unified actions to force Russia to take responsibility and end the war, continuously emphasizing that without sanctions and pressure, the Kremlin will not stop and will not abandon its aggressive plans.