President Volodymyr Zelensky said late Sunday that force and diplomacy must work together to end Russia’s war in Ukraine and to ensure such a conflict does not happen again in the future, Reuters reported.
“We understand very clearly that diplomacy has no prospects without force,” Zelensky said in his evening video address.
“But without a clear understanding of diplomatic objectives, weapons alone will not do the job. That is why force and diplomacy must work hand in hand.”
He added that this is the only way to ensure lasting peace and prevent the recurrence of wars like the one launched by Moscow against Kiev.
Zelensky, who has relentlessly called for a “just” end to the war, is pressing the United States and its NATO allies to arm Kiev and help force Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace, saying Ukraine is only open to “sincere” diplomacy.
Ukraine also appeals to its allies to allow Kiev to use Western long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory and undermine Moscow’s military infrastructure.
Zelensky’s call on Sunday to strengthen diplomatic efforts comes after former Republican President Donald Trump defeated his pro-Ukrainian Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, in the US presidential elections.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly said he could end the war in Ukraine “in one day,” but he never said how. A source told Reuters that Trump spoke on Thursday with Putin and advised him not to escalate the war, a call Kiev said it was not informed of.