Zelensky: Letting Russia sell fuel means investing in its war

In a Telegram post, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine expressed concern that allowing Russia to sell fuel could prolong its devastating war. "Peace never comes through weakness," Zelensky stated, emphasizing that sanctions under the Lindsey Graham bill, support for Ukraine's defense, and pressure on Russia are crucial. He pointed out that the recent U.S.-Russia conversation aimed at finding a resolution.

However, Zelensky criticized the lifting of sanctions on Russian oligarchs, arguing that it has led to an increase in Russian attacks on civilians. Just this week, he recounted, Russia launched missile strikes on a residential building in Pryluky, bombed Kramatorsk targeting city buses, and continued assaults on Kyiv's energy infrastructure and critical infrastructure in Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, and other Ukrainian cities.

Dozens have been killed and hundreds injured. Zelensky believes Russia is using terror to compensate for battlefield losses. He cautioned that Russia will "repay" Ukraine with further terror if allowed to sell petroleum products, stating that such actions prolong the war. Ukraine seeks genuine de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis, not the prolonged conflict that would benefit Putin.