Zelenskyy calls for tougher sanctions to pressure Russia into peace talks
- Zelenskyy addressed an international security conference in Prague, urging enhanced sanctions against Russia.
- He claimed that Russia's military has suffered severe casualties but is not deterred by this loss.
- He concluded that stronger sanctions could lead Russia to reconsider its aggressive actions and pursue peace.
In Prague on June 12, 2025, during an international security conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of imposing stronger sanctions on Russia to compel President Vladimir Putin to seek peace. He highlighted that the Kremlin remains indifferent to the significant number of casualties resulting from the ongoing conflict, with reports indicating over one million Russian military personnel casualties since the invasion began in February 2022. Zelenskyy stressed that economic pressure could effectively hinder Russia's war funding, potentially leading to a peace resolution. At the conference, which was attended by leaders and defense officials from various countries, Zelenskyy made a powerful case for increased support in military resources, particularly drone production, to counter the Russian offensive. He described Ukraine as the frontline defense against further Russian aggression, articulating that a failure to support Ukraine could embolden Putin to extend his ambitions beyond Ukraine's borders. Zelenskyy shared recent developments of drone attacks launched against the Russian territory in retaliation, reflecting Ukraine's proactive stance in the conflict. In the backdrop of these events, the European Commission is presenting new sanctions aimed at restricting Russia’s oil revenue further, including lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil from $60 to $45 per barrel. This measure reflects a broader strategy among European nations to economically isolate Russia and holds significant implications for funding its military campaigns in Ukraine. As negotiations on potential sanctions bills take place within the United States Congress, there seems to be a division regarding the approach to handling Russia. While some lawmakers advocate for stringent measures against Moscow, the White House is reportedly looking for adjustments that would grant presidential discretion on sanction enforcement. This ongoing debate highlights the varying perspectives on how best to respond to the Russian invasion, with many emphasizing the necessity of united international pressure on Russia to push for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.