Zelensky Warns of Ongoing Russian Threat Post-War
Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky expressed concerns on Thursday that even after the conflict in Ukraine concludes, Russia will remain a danger to neighboring countries unless there is a concerted global effort to “change the regime” in Moscow.
Zelensky noted that Russia’s leadership seems “stuck in another era,” rejecting the modern world order established after World War I. He emphasized the need for a permanent change in government in Russia. Speaking remotely at a security and cooperation conference in Europe, he condemned a recent overnight airstrike by Russia, stating, “Even when Russia calls for a halt to the war, they continue such attacks.”
According to Zelensky, Russia persists in its aggression because it fails to recognize its “natural boundaries,” believing its borders extend wherever it wishes. He described Moscow as being trapped in a mindset of “brutal violence, looting, and complete disregard for human rights and equality,” stating that such ideologies should never resurface in Europe.
Zelensky maintained that Russia could be “pressed to end this war” and “compelled to accept its true borders.” He stressed that if the international community does not seek to transform the Russian regime, Moscow will likely continue attempting to destabilize its neighbors even after the conflict ends.
He urged European nations to take proactive measures for their protection, advocating for comprehensive sanctions to “fully block Russian war machinery, cut off the arms industry, and limit profits from energy.” Zelensky suggested that Russia’s assets should not only be frozen but also completely confiscated and redistributed.
Reports indicated that several children were injured, and eight people, including a six-year-old boy, lost their lives in a direct missile hit on a residential building in Kyiv. Ukrainian state media also noted that the Air Force had intercepted 288 out of 317 Russian drones during this latest assault, while a few cruise missiles managed to strike their targets, causing damage from debris as well.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri Sibikha remarked that the scale of the attack should lead President Trump to reconsider any deals with Putin. He suggested reducing “all time frames given to Putin to zero” to demonstrate a more constructive approach. He characterized President Trump as generous but overly patient in his dealings with Russia.
Meanwhile, media from the Moscow region reported that Ukraine also executed an airstrike within Russia. The Russian Air Force claimed to have destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones and indicated that debris had caused delays in train services, damage to gas pipelines, and fires at a factory in Volgograd, although they reported no consequences for human life.
