Zelenskyy urges U.S. to answer signals Russia is preparing for a year of war
Zelenskyy says Moscow's signals point to escalation; Putin vows to pursue goals by diplomacy or force, prompting calls for stronger Western action
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday urged the United States and other allies to respond to bellicose signals from Moscow that Russia is preparing to turn next year into a year of war. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the signals were aimed not only at Ukraine but also at partners who must see them and act.
Zelenskyy said the signals indicate an intent to escalate and stressed that partners must recognize them and respond accordingly. He said real protection requires a mix of security measures, financial steps including actions on Russian assets, and political actions, and that the courage of all partners is required to see the truth, acknowledge it, and act.
Zelenskyy also released a Ukrainian-language video with the same message. In Washington, a White House official said that in recent weeks the president’s team has made progress toward ending the war, and that the administration believes the path to peace is closer now than ever.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told a Defense Ministry board that Russia will achieve its goals, either through diplomacy or military force. He said Moscow would address the root causes of the conflict and would create and expand a security buffer zone; if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in meaningful dialogue, Russia will press ahead with its aims.
On Capitol Hill, Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican who has been a vocal Ukraine ally, pushed for a broader arms package, urging that the United States send long-range, precise cruise missiles to Kyiv to deter Moscow.
US officials continued to tout progress in talks aimed at reaching a lasting and durable peace between Ukraine and Russia, even as fighting continues on the ground. Separately, a Fox News Digital report noted Ukraine’s claim of the first underwater drone strike on a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk, highlighting the ongoing breadth of battlefield moves.
Fox News Digital also noted that it had reached out to the White House for comment on Zelenskyy’s remarks, with no immediate public response from Moscow accompanying this coverage.