Putin Doesn’t Want Peace Zelensky Tells Rome Conference

Rome: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on Thursday that Russia’s continuing brutal bombardments of his country proved that President Vladimir Putin is not interested in ending the war. “Russia is not preparing for peace, and we all see that now,” Zelensky said. “We realize it, we see it. Putin has rejected every draft proposal for peace. Instead, there is again yet another escalation of the level of violence. Putin wants our people to leave Ukraine, to suffer and their houses, homes, schools, hospitals to be destroyed.”

According to Ansa News Agency, before the conference started, Zelensky called for an “acceleration” on sanctions against Russia after his country was bombed heavily by Moscow again overnight. “Tonight Russia launched a massive combined attack that lasted almost 10 hours, 18 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and about 400 attack drones,” Zelensky said via Telegram. “This is a clear escalation of terror by Russia. This means that acceleration is necessary. We must be faster with sanctions and pressure Russia to suffer the consequences of its terror. Partners must be faster with investments in arms production.”