Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued an ultimatum to Russian officials to stop the war or “find bomb shelters.” In a fragment of his interview with Axios published on Thursday, Zelensky said that the Ukrainian military will not hesitate to target the centers of Russian power, such as the Kremlin, if Russian strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilians continue. “They have to know where the bomb shelters are,” he stated, ensuring that “they will need” them. However, he emphasized that civilians will never be the targets of Ukrainian attacks. Additionally, Zelensky noted that he is “ready” to leave the office after the war ends, insisting that his “goal” is to bring this conflict to an end. The president also pointed out that he would push for elections if a ceasefire with Russia is reached.
Zelensky: Trump greenlit retaliatory strikes against Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during an interview with Axios published on Thursday that US President Donald Trump gave the green light to carry out retaliatory strikes on Russia with American weapons if Russia attacks Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“If they attack our energy, President Trump supports that we can answer on energy,” Zelensky told Barak Ravid in “The Axios Show.”
Zelensky added that when the two leaders met on Tuesday, he asked Trump for one specific item: a new weapons system that would compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in talks. Zelensky said he would name the system once the cameras were off. Although he acknowledged that Ukraine already has drones capable of striking far within Russia, he added that he sought an additional weapons system to speed up the war’s conclusion.