In a video speech on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged for peace, saying that the consequences of the war will be felt for centuries.
“I want everyone, especially in Moscow, to hear me now.” According to Reuters, Zelensky stated, “The moment has come for a meeting; it is time to discuss.”
“The moment has arrived to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity and justice.” Otherwise, Russia’s losses would be so severe that recovery will take several generations,” he continued.
The Ukrainian president’s warning comes in the midst of severe combat between his country’s military and citizens who have taken up guns to protect their territory, which has stalled Russia’s onslaught.
According to US defense officials, including Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, Russian forces made multiple mistakes in their invasion on Ukraine, expecting that they would be able to conquer the nation in a short period of time.
Since its decision to invade Ukraine on February 24, Russia has also been struck hard by crushing economic sanctions imposed by the United States and its Western allies.
Russian banks, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and rich Russians with links to the Kremlin have all been targeted by the sanctions. The United States has also lately prohibited the purchase of Russian oil.