Zelenskyy Urges U.S. Pressure on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for continued U.S. pressure on Russia and greater European involvement in peace negotiations during an online meeting hosted by the Hudson Institute on Oct. 23. More than 100 participants, including analysts, diplomats, experts and media representatives, attended the discussion.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine, the United States and Europe should work toward trilateral talks at the team level in the first half of November, with the eventual goal of a leaders’ meeting. He said such negotiations would require sustained American pressure on Moscow and emphasized that Europe must be included in discussions involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia.

The Ukrainian president also discussed military and humanitarian issues, including the return of 270 Ukrainians in a recent prisoner exchange. He said restrictions affecting Starlink and Starshield services were complicating operations on the front, while deliveries of interceptor missiles for Patriot air-defense systems remained delayed.

Winter preparations were another focus of the meeting. Zelenskyy said Ukraine had agreements with European partners on gas supplies but still needed additional air-defense interceptors. He also accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against Europe through drone and cyberattacks and efforts to destabilize the Black Sea.

Zelenskyy said any future peace settlement would require security guarantees, continued financial support, a strong Ukrainian military and reliable mechanisms to deter renewed Russian aggression. He described stronger air defenses as essential both during and after the war.