03:13Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the European leaders for 'sufficient' weapons, 'not support in talks,' during the European Political Community Summit (EPC) in Budapest on Thursday.
"We are defending ourselves not against Russian words, but against Russian attacks," he stated. "Hugs with Putin will not help. Some leaders have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse. He thinks only about wars and will not change. Only pressure can put limits on him."
Zelensky also expressed his gratitude to leaders defending 'Ukraine's right to use funds from Russian assets,' stating: "The Russian state value neither people nor morality, they value only money. And that is why it is also a lesson for them when Russian assets work for Ukraine. Fairly speaking, this is Ukrainian money."
The Ukrainian leader also condemned calls for Kiev to make concessions to Russia in order to secure a peace deal, calling it 'unacceptable for Ukraine and unacceptable for all Europe.'
"What's next? Should Europe seek the favour of Kim Jong-un in hopes that he too will leave Europe in peace? No strong leader who has built a united, strong and peaceful Europe would even imagine doing this," he said.
Zelensky also confirmed that he had called the US's new President-elect Donald Trump following his election victory. He said that the pair engaged in a 'productive, good conversation.'
"Of course, we cannot yet know what his actions will be, but we do hope that America will become stronger, and this is the kind of America that Europe needs, and the strong Europe is what America needs, to my mind," he continued.
With the election of Trump on Wednesday, both Ukraine and its Western backers are reportedly worried that it will mean a downgrading of support for the conflict in Russia. Trump has vowed to focus on domestic priorities and end the fighting in Ukraine before his inauguration.
Recently, Trump's Vice President-elect JD Vance told reporters that talks between Ukraine and Russia were 'necessary' and previously said that a peace deal could include "the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine" becoming a de-militarised zone' as well as Ukraine promising not to join NATO - a statement which Zelensky condemned.
'Hugs with Putin will not help' - Zelensky demands 'sufficient' weapons, announces 'productive' call with Trump in EPC Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the European leaders for 'sufficient' weapons, 'not support in talks,' during the European Political Community Summit (EPC) in Budapest on Thursday.
"We are defending ourselves not against Russian words, but against Russian attacks," he stated. "Hugs with Putin will not help. Some leaders have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse. He thinks only about wars and will not change. Only pressure can put limits on him."
Zelensky also expressed his gratitude to leaders defending 'Ukraine's right to use funds from Russian assets,' stating: "The Russian state value neither people nor morality, they value only money. And that is why it is also a lesson for them when Russian assets work for Ukraine. Fairly speaking, this is Ukrainian money."
The Ukrainian leader also condemned calls for Kiev to make concessions to Russia in order to secure a peace deal, calling it 'unacceptable for Ukraine and unacceptable for all Europe.'
"What's next? Should Europe seek the favour of Kim Jong-un in hopes that he too will leave Europe in peace? No strong leader who has built a united, strong and peaceful Europe would even imagine doing this," he said.
Zelensky also confirmed that he had called the US's new President-elect Donald Trump following his election victory. He said that the pair engaged in a 'productive, good conversation.'
"Of course, we cannot yet know what his actions will be, but we do hope that America will become stronger, and this is the kind of America that Europe needs, and the strong Europe is what America needs, to my mind," he continued.
With the election of Trump on Wednesday, both Ukraine and its Western backers are reportedly worried that it will mean a downgrading of support for the conflict in Russia. Trump has vowed to focus on domestic priorities and end the fighting in Ukraine before his inauguration.
Recently, Trump's Vice President-elect JD Vance told reporters that talks between Ukraine and Russia were 'necessary' and previously said that a peace deal could include "the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine" becoming a de-militarised zone' as well as Ukraine promising not to join NATO - a statement which Zelensky condemned.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the European leaders for 'sufficient' weapons, 'not support in talks,' during the European Political Community Summit (EPC) in Budapest on Thursday.
"We are defending ourselves not against Russian words, but against Russian attacks," he stated. "Hugs with Putin will not help. Some leaders have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse. He thinks only about wars and will not change. Only pressure can put limits on him."
Zelensky also expressed his gratitude to leaders defending 'Ukraine's right to use funds from Russian assets,' stating: "The Russian state value neither people nor morality, they value only money. And that is why it is also a lesson for them when Russian assets work for Ukraine. Fairly speaking, this is Ukrainian money."
The Ukrainian leader also condemned calls for Kiev to make concessions to Russia in order to secure a peace deal, calling it 'unacceptable for Ukraine and unacceptable for all Europe.'
"What's next? Should Europe seek the favour of Kim Jong-un in hopes that he too will leave Europe in peace? No strong leader who has built a united, strong and peaceful Europe would even imagine doing this," he said.
Zelensky also confirmed that he had called the US's new President-elect Donald Trump following his election victory. He said that the pair engaged in a 'productive, good conversation.'
"Of course, we cannot yet know what his actions will be, but we do hope that America will become stronger, and this is the kind of America that Europe needs, and the strong Europe is what America needs, to my mind," he continued.
With the election of Trump on Wednesday, both Ukraine and its Western backers are reportedly worried that it will mean a downgrading of support for the conflict in Russia. Trump has vowed to focus on domestic priorities and end the fighting in Ukraine before his inauguration.
Recently, Trump's Vice President-elect JD Vance told reporters that talks between Ukraine and Russia were 'necessary' and previously said that a peace deal could include "the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine" becoming a de-militarised zone' as well as Ukraine promising not to join NATO - a statement which Zelensky condemned.