Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday cautioned against heeding Russia’s call to halt military aid to Ukraine, emphasizing the need for increased support as the war enters its fourth year. He also announced plans to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump later in the day.
Zelensky’s remarks came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Washington to cease military assistance to Kyiv during a call with Trump. The conversation was part of a U.S.-led diplomatic push to broker a full ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
“I do not believe we should make any concessions regarding assistance to Ukraine. Instead, there should be an increase in support,” Zelensky said at a press conference in Helsinki alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb. He added that additional aid would “signal that Ukraine is ready for any surprises from the Russians.”
The Trump-Putin call did not yield the breakthrough ceasefire that Kyiv had hoped for, despite Ukraine’s endorsement of a U.S.-backed proposal last week. However, the Kremlin reportedly agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Zelensky, speaking in Finland, said he hoped to gain further clarity on the agreement during his scheduled call with Trump.
“Today, I will have contacts with President Trump, and we will discuss the next steps,” he said.
Earlier, Zelensky condemned an overnight Russian missile and drone attack that killed one person, wounded several others, and damaged two hospitals. He argued that the strikes proved Moscow’s reluctance to honor any ceasefire.
“Putin’s words are very much at odds with reality,” he said.
Zelensky stressed that the United States should take the lead in overseeing any agreement aimed at halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
“The United States should be the main controlling entity,” he stated. “If the Russians don’t hit our targets, we will definitely not hit theirs.”
The Ukrainian leader also expressed hope that Washington would continue pressuring Moscow to agree to a full ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Putin reportedly told Trump that a complete truce would require Ukraine to halt mandatory military mobilization and refrain from rearming—conditions Kyiv sees as leaving the country vulnerable to future Russian offensives.
Ukraine has signaled its willingness to send negotiators to Saudi Arabia for further talks, which would not only address the proposed energy ceasefire but also include discussions on a maritime truce that Kyiv has long sought.
