Camilla Jessen
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges world leaders to push back harder against Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning to the international community, accusing Russia of escalating threats and violence because it no longer fears consequences.
The statement came on June 4, the Day of Remembrance for Ukrainian children killed in the war.
Zelenskyy did not hold back in condemning the Kremlin’s latest rhetoric and renewed warnings of so-called “responses” to Ukraine’s continued resistance.
“Russia Shows the World Its Middle Finger”
Referring to reported recent conversations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy criticized what he described as global hesitation in the face of clear aggression.
Unfortunately, Putin senses impunity. Even after all the horrific strikes, he appears to be preparing new so-called ‘responses’… With every new strike on Ukraine, and every new delay in diplomacy, Russia is showing the world its middle finger.
Zelenskyy stressed that despite years of diplomatic overtures, no lasting peace — or even a pause — has emerged from these efforts.
A Call for Consequences, Not Conversation
Zelenskyy warned that weak international responses to Russia’s actions are interpreted by Moscow as permission to continue its military campaign.
When Putin doesn’t feel pressure—when he sees only hesitation—he interprets it as permission. More violence, more strikes, more suffering. That’s what follows.
He cited chilling statistics: since January, Russia has launched nearly 27,700 aerial bombs, over 11,000 Shahed drones, nearly 9,000 other UAVs, and more than 700 missiles, including ballistic ones, across Ukrainian territory.
“If They Cannot Stop Putin, He Will Stop Seeing Them as Strong”
Zelenskyy argued that the international community must do more than offer support and condemnation.
“Russia must return peace,” he said. “In Moscow, they should feel that this war carries a high cost—the highest for the aggressor.”
He went further, suggesting that those unable — or unwilling — to stop Putin bear shared responsibility for the continued violence.
Zelenskyy concluded by expressing gratitude to Ukraine’s allies and those working to hold Russia accountable.
“We in Ukraine are grateful to everyone in the world who tries to stop this war and Russian strikes,” he said. “To those who tell the killer that he will be held accountable.”
The President’s statement follows his recent rejection of a Kremlin-proposed peace memorandum, which he described as a political ultimatum, not a credible offer.
The document reportedly demands that Ukraine surrender four partially occupied regions and accept sweeping demilitarization — terms widely seen as unacceptable both in Kyiv and among Ukraine’s allies.