Zelenskyy: Russia refuses ceasefire to preserve ability to strike from the sea

The Kremlin seeks to maintain control over the Black Sea as a springboard for missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Russia does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire in order to maintain the ability to strike Ukraine from the sea. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an evening address.

He recalled that during the last air attack, missiles were launched, in particular, from the Black Sea. According to the head of state, Ukraine’s allies know the exact coordinates of the launch and the types of ships involved.

“This is one of the reasons why Russia distorts diplomacy, why Russia does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire – they want to retain the opportunity to strike from the sea at our cities, at our ports,” Zelenskyy stressed.

The President emphasized that a ceasefire at sea is not only a matter of free navigation and ensuring food corridors, but above all a matter of security and a step towards peace.

Zelensky reported that Ukraine has accepted the US proposal for a complete and unconditional ceasefire, while Putin rejected it. He called for a clear response from the United States, Europe, and the international community.

Yes, Vladimir Putin does not intend to end the war, but instead is looking for ways to preserve the possibility of escalation. Therefore, further increased pressure on Russia is needed – through military support for Ukraine, sanctions, and diplomatic pressure.

“If there is a ceasefire, then it is unconditional and one that does not allow the destruction of life at all,” Volodymyr Zelensky added.

The President also mentioned the daily attacks by the Russian Federation using ballistic missiles on various regions of Ukraine – in particular, the shelling of Kyiv, as well as Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Zaporizhia, and Donetsk regions.

“Every day, lives are lost. Every day, opportunities for diplomacy are lost. All this cannot be accepted in silence,” the head of state emphasized.

As USM recently wrote, the Ukrainian Navy has revealed whether a ceasefire is currently in effect in the Black Sea after several rounds of negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia.