The Gaza peace plan should not be viewed as a final achievement but as the starting point for a broader global peace movement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky argued on Tuesday. He called on world leaders, particularly US President Donald Trump, to use the current “momentum” to address the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Zelensky lauded the “outstanding achievement” in the Middle East, directly crediting President Trump’s administration. He then pivoted to his own nation’s crisis, stating, “The war in Europe can also be brought to an end, and for that, the leadership of both the United States and other partners is of utmost importance.”
This diplomatic campaign is already in motion. Zelensky mentioned a recent congratulatory call to Trump and a separate, intensive discussion with Finnish President Alex Stubb aimed at coordinating their strategies. He believes a “corresponding vision” for peace in Ukraine is achievable with concerted international action.
The backdrop to this call for peace remains violent and brutal. Zelensky provided a somber update on Russia’s continued attacks, highlighting a strike on a hospital in Kharkiv that injured dozens and ongoing damage to energy infrastructure, which he termed “aerial terror.”
This underscores the practical side of his appeal. Alongside calls for diplomacy, Zelensky reiterated the urgent need for sophisticated air defense systems. He contends that only by strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself can the international community truly compel Moscow to abandon its campaign of terror and enter into sincere negotiations.
