The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kiev is ready for peace talks anywhere but Russia and Belarusif those talks end the war, but that his forces “will not take steps back” on the battlefield to concede territory.

In comments to reporters made public today, Zelensky also called on US lawmakers to vote stricter penalties at the expense of Russia and stated that Ukraine will need stable funding from its European allies for now two to three years.

“I reiterated this point to all European leaders. I told them that we are not going to fight for decadesbut that you have to show that, for a certain period of time, you will be able to provide stable financial support to Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president said during a press briefing. “And that’s why they have this schedule in mind – two or three years. THE war could end sooner, but money will be needed for reconstruction“, he added.

Volodymyr Zelensky also hopes that the Donald Trump will pressure Xi Jinping to reduce Beijing’s his support for Moscow and Russian hydrocarbon imports during the meeting scheduled for Thursday between the leaders of the US and China.

“This could be one of (Trump’s) strong moves, especially if after these decisive sanctions China is willing to reduce its imports” from Russia, Zelensky said, referring to sanctions imposed by Washington last week on two major Russian oil companies.

At the front, Russian army continues to is gaining ground in some areas, despite heavy losses, and without having made any significant progress for the time being.

The Kremlin’s priority remains the capture of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.

In recent days, pressure has increased in the city of Pokrovsk, which Russian forces have been trying to capture for months.

Zelensky stated that approx 200 Russian soldiers are currently in the city“the main target of the Russians”. On Sunday night, he said “heavy fighting” was taking place in the city and its suburbs.