Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has refused to consider a ceasefire with Russia, arguing that it would only serve to strengthen the invading forces.
During his visit to Estonia, President Zelensky made comments intended to drum up support for continued funding of the war.
“A pause on the battlefields of Ukraine does not mean a pause in the war,” President Zelensky said.
Zelenskiy says Ukraine can defeat Putin's forces but needs high-tech help from the West
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (front row) gives a speech in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), while Speaker Lauri Hassar watches in Tallinn, Estonia. (Raigo Pajula/AFP via Getty Images)
“The suspension will have an impact.” [Russia’s] “It might crush us later,” he added.
Estonian President Aral Kalis expressed his enthusiastic support for Zelensky and Ukraine's defense efforts and appealed to his country for continued aid.
“Ukraine needs more, it needs better weapons,” Kallis said.
Expected discussion topics at next World Economic Forum include Israel, Ukraine and AI
Rescue workers carry out rescue operations at the site of a destroyed apartment building following a Russian attack in Kiev, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
“We must strengthen our military production capabilities so that Ukraine can get what it needs. And we should get it today, not tomorrow,” he added.
President Zelensky said Wednesday that while the United States remains stalled on a stronger commitment to Kiev, it has turned to the Baltic states for support so its military can defeat Russia, but with more powerful air defense systems. argued that it was necessary.
President Zelenskiy spoke in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius after meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. He lamented Ukraine's “lack of modern air defense systems,” stressing that it was “what we need most.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (center) shakes hands with Estonian President Aral Kallis next to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kalas (left) after giving a speech at Riigikog in Tallinn, Estonia. (Raigo Pajula/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Zelenskiy acknowledged that countries that can usually provide such weapons face low stockpiles. “The warehouses are empty and there are many challenges to global defense.”
The Biden administration announced in December that it would provide $250 million in aid. This is the final allocation of stockpile aid money that the United States can make without approval from lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Congress is stalling on approving a multibillion-dollar national security package first requested in October.
Fox News Digital's Peter Aitken contributed to this report.
