Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on European countries to cooperate in ensuring

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on European countries to cooperate in ensuring "sustainable peace" rather than a mere "pause" in the war. He warned that such a pause could be used by Russian President Vladimir Putin to "buy time."

In multiple posts, Zelensky stated that European military assistance has helped Ukraine strengthen its defense against Russia and saved countless lives. He praised the sanctions imposed on Russia and called on European allies to prevent Putin from using his "shadow tanker fleet" to fund the war.

Zelensky said, “We are united in increasing economic cooperation in the development of the defense industry. Increasing weapons production and expanding Europe’s industrial capacity are extremely important for us.”

He expressed hope for "significant progress" in discussions about Ukraine's membership in the European Union next year. At the same time, he warned about the potential actions of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting that Trump would intensify efforts to end the war. He called on Europe to show a "unified strong voice" in this situation.

Meanwhile, in his annual press conference today, Russian President Putin also stated that he desires "lasting peace" with Ukraine, but not a "ceasefire."

Experts believe that European countries' support and coordinated efforts will be crucial to ending the Ukraine-Russia war.