Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that “if Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn” after overnight drone strikes targeted the Russian capital. Scores of drones hit Moscow, including an oil refinery for the second time this week, according to Reuters.
“We don’t want this war, we never did, and everyone knows it, and our partners know it,” Zelenskyy said in a voice message to reporters. He called on Europe and the United States to increase pressure on Russia through sanctions on its defence and energy sectors and broader economy to force President Vladimir Putin into ending the war.
Zelenskyy made the remarks as he attended the European Council meeting in Brussels to discuss EU support for Ukraine and its prospective membership. European Council President António Costa described it as “a historic week for Ukraine,” noting the formal accession negotiations are under way and G7 leaders agreed on strong support. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “the tide is turning,” with Ukraine holding the line and partially regaining territory, while Russia’s economy suffers.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth criticised Nato allies, calling the alliance “a paper tiger and a one-way street” and blaming them for becoming “a dependency of the United States” and “free riding.” He announced plans for a review of US posture in Europe, with Poland and Lithuania among countries hoping to attract a permanent US military presence.
Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda said there is “more and more evidence that the war in Ukraine is coming closer to the Russian population,” calling it “a gamechanger” as Russians realise the war is on their own soil.
