‘Stop Wasting Time’: Zelenskyy Tells Allies As He Prepares To Press Trump On Russia Sanctions

Last Updated:September 20, 2025, 18:11 IST

Zelenskyy said further measures should be introduced if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to hold peace talks or agree to a ceasefire

A file photo of Zelenskyy (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the allies to “stop wasting time" in responding to Russian aggression, saying that he will also urge US President Donald Trump to impose new sanctions on Moscow when the two leaders meet at the UN in New York next week.

Zelenskyy said further measures should be introduced if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to hold peace talks or agree to a ceasefire.

“If the war continues and there are no moves towards peace, we expect sanctions," he told reporters in Kyiv.

Trump has repeatedly threatened strong action against Moscow, but has tied any US move to Europe first cutting its reliance on Russian oil.

Zelenskyy criticised that approach, saying it slows international pressure on Putin.

“President Trump expects strong action from Europe. I think we are wasting a lot of time if sanctions are not imposed or some steps are not taken," he said.

Hungary and Slovakia, close allies of Trump, remain the last EU members buying Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.

Zelenskyy urged the US to push both governments to act, saying “everyone is looking to the United States."

The Ukrainian leader also said he was open to meeting Putin “one to one" or in a three-way format with Trump.

The Kremlin has so far insisted that “root causes" of the conflict be addressed first, a reference to Ukraine surrendering territory.

During his New York visit, Zelenskyy is also expected to press the US for clarity on possible security guarantees as part of any future peace deal.

His wife, Olena Zelenska, may meet Melania Trump to discuss the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

The talks come amid escalating violence. Three Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace on Friday, while Ukraine expanded drone strikes on Russian oil facilities, hitting the Saratov refinery for the second time in a week.

Moscow is already facing fuel shortages, with long queues reported at petrol stations.

Russia retaliated overnight with a large-scale missile and drone assault across Ukraine.

At least three people were killed in Dnipro when a cluster munition missile struck an apartment block. Other regions, including Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and Zaporizhzhia, were also hit.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians and infrastructure. “A strong international response is needed," he said, calling on Europe to step up air defence support and weapons supplies.

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