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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that the European Union and United States must increase pressure on Moscow through sanctions if ongoing peace negotiations in Istanbul fail to produce results.
Speaking at the Bucharest Nine Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Russia has launched summer military operations in Ukraine while expressing cautious optimism about diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
"I'm not sure that Russia will be ready for productive negotiations. But we must always believe in some solutions," Zelenskyy said, referring to talks between the two countries taking place in Istanbul on Monday.
The Ukrainian leader outlined his country's priorities for the Istanbul discussions, emphasizing the need for "a complete and unconditional ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners, and the return of children forcibly taken from Ukraine."
Zelenskyy warned that if the Istanbul talks fail due to Russian intransigence, Western allies must respond with enhanced economic pressure. He specifically called for the EU and U.S. to impose additional sanctions on Moscow should Russia prove unwilling to engage constructively in the negotiations.
The peace talks represent a potential diplomatic opening as the conflict continues to reshape European security dynamics. Zelenskyy described the ongoing diplomatic efforts as "an opportunity" to end the war through negotiation rather than continued military action.
During a press conference before the summit, Zelenskyy indicated he would hold important discussions in Vilnius, including meetings with members of a coalition willing to potentially deploy foreign troops in Ukraine as part of security guarantees.
The Ukrainian president emphasized the significance of these consultations, stating they would address "very important issues regarding European and Ukrainian security."
The Bucharest Nine Summit brings together NATO's eastern flank members and represents a key forum for coordinating regional security policy as the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve.
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