Ukraine's president declared his willingness to sit down directly with Vladimir Putin. Volodymyr Zelensky made the statement Wednesday at a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting in Kyiv.
"I'm ready for direct negotiations with Putin to end this war," he told reporters. "Rather than wait while everybody finishes all the conflicts in the world."
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stood beside him at the press conference. The two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict and Ukraine's military response.
Zelensky identified Russia's ballistic missiles as a critical threat to his nation. Moscow can manufacture up to 120 such missiles every month, he warned.
Ukraine has been using American-made Patriot systems to counter Russian attacks. According to the president, Kyiv's recent strikes targeted military installations and fuel refineries.
"If they continue using drones and missiles against us, we will be doing the same," Zelensky said. "But we respond exclusively against oil refineries or justified military targets."
He stressed that Ukraine's strikes were defensive measures. Each attack came in response to Russian bombardment of Ukrainian territory.
Rutte commended Ukraine's fighting spirit and determination throughout the conflict. He highlighted how effectively the nation has resisted Russian aggression since the invasion began.
