President Volodymyr Zelensky said diplomacy remains the only way to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, but warned that negotiations will work only if Kyiv enters talks from a position of strength backed by security guarantees, weapons, and stable financing.
Speaking to journalists in voice messages sent via WhatsApp while flying to Brussels on Thursday, Zelensky said Russia must first feel real pressure.
“Any war ends through negotiations. I agree with that,” Zelensky said. “But for this to happen sooner, Ukraine must be strong – and Russia must see that Ukraine is strong.”
“This is not only about our internal moral strength,” he added. “Russia must see concrete signals that Ukraine will not fall.”
Brussels visit, EU funding talks
Zelensky arrived in Brussels as European Union leaders gathered for a crunch summit aimed at securing funding for Ukraine for the next two years.
Zelensky’s office confirmed his arrival, while sources earlier told AFP that Zelensky planned to personally lobby EU leaders to tap into frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
According to Zelensky, long-term financial stability is a key element of Ukraine’s strength.
“Decisions that ensure Ukraine is funded in 2026 and 2027 are a signal to Russia,” he said. “It shows that Ukraine will not collapse – not because of money, not because of weapons, and not because of social pressure.”
Security guarantees, US talks
Zelensky said Ukraine is working closely with the US on future security guarantees and outlined Kyiv’s core demands.
“For us, it is fundamental that these guarantees are approved by the US Congress and are legally binding,” he said. “Second, that this is Article 5 of NATO. Third, that we clearly understand how partners will react if Russia attacks again.”
He said Ukraine’s armed forces must remain no smaller than 800,000 troops and that details on weapons supplies are still being finalized.
“We agreed with the United States not to discuss the details publicly until the document is completed,” Zelensky said.
He confirmed that he spoke two days earlier in Berlin with US President Donald Trump, describing the conversation as a briefing on the latest negotiations.
“When the documents are finalized, we will be in contact again,” Zelensky said, ruling out the idea that a final peace plan already exists.
“I do not know what a ‘final version’ of a Russian peace plan is,” he said. “The final version of any plan is an agreed version. Right now, there is no agreed version.”
He said the United States continues to discuss proposals with both Ukraine and Russia.
Pressure if Russia rejects diplomacy
Asked whether Washington had signaled tougher sanctions or more weapons if Russia refuses peace, Zelensky said it was still too early for firm signals.
“We do not yet have confirmation that Russia has definitively rejected the peaceful path,” he said. “Although I clearly understand that they do not want it.”
If Moscow refuses to move toward ending the war, Ukraine must be strengthened further, he said.
“If one side of the war rejects diplomacy, then the other side must be strengthened,” Zelensky said. “That means strengthening Ukraine.”
He added that sanctions must focus especially on Russia’s energy sector.
“Energy sanctions must be tightened as much as possible,” he said. “Otherwise, they simply do not work.”
Progress – but major differences remain
Zelensky’s comments come as Ukraine on Monday said it had made “progress” on future security guarantees after two days of talks in Berlin with US envoys.
However, Zelensky said big differences remain, particularly over territory.
“There are still disagreements about what territories Ukraine would be expected to give up,” he said.
An initial US proposal – criticized by Ukraine and several allies as overly favorable to Moscow – would have required Ukraine to withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region, while the United States would de facto recognize Crimea, the Donetsk region, and the Luhansk region as Russian.
Zelensky has repeatedly said Ukraine will not accept any peace deal that rewards Russian aggression.
“Ukraine wants this war to end,” he said. “But not at the cost of justice or our future.”