Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not consider a ceasefire with Russia, claiming it would only help the invading army strengthen its power.
Zelenskyy made the comments during a visit to Estonia aimed at raising support to continue funding the war effort.
“A pause on the Ukrainian battlefield will not mean a pause in the war,” Zelenskyy said.
ZELENSKYY SAYS UKRAINE CAN BEAT PUTIN'S TROOPS BUT NEEDS WESTERN HIGH-TECH HELP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (front) delivers a speech to the Riigikogu, or Estonian Parliament, as President Lauri Hussar listens in Tallinn, Estonia. (RAIGO PAJULA/AFP via Getty Images)
“A pause would contribute [Russia’s] hands,” he added. “It could crush us later.”
Estonian President Alar Karis showed intense support for Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian defensive effort, urging his country to continue aid.
“Ukraine needs more, it needs better weapons,” Karis said.
ISRAEL, UKRAINE AND AI AMONG THE EXPECTED DISCUSSION TOPICS AT THE NEXT WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
Rescuers work at the site of a destroyed apartment building after a Russian attack in kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
He continued: “We must increase military production capabilities so that Ukraine can get what it needs. And it's not tomorrow, they should get it today.”
Zelenskyy argued Wednesday that his forces can defeat Russia but require stronger air defense systems as he seeks help from the Baltic states, while the United States continues to stall on making firmer commitments to kyiv.
Zelenskyy spoke in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, after talks with the country's president, Gitanas Nauseda. He lamented the “lack of modern air defense systems” in Ukraine and stressed that they are “what we need most.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center) shakes hands with Estonian President Alar Karis, alongside Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, left, after giving a speech at the Riigikogu in Tallinn, Estonia. (RAIGO PAJULA/AFP via Getty Images)
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Countries that could normally provide such weapons face low stockpiles, Zelenskyy admitted. “Warehouses are empty and global defense faces many challenges.”
The Biden administration announced in December that it would provide $250 million. value of aid to Ukraine, marking the final distribution of accumulated support that the United States can make without approval from lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Congress has delayed approving another multibillion-dollar supplemental national security package, initially requested in October.
Fox News Digital's Peter Aitken contributed to this report.
