Russia Kremlin calls for US pressure on Ukraine to end the war
Russia has called on the USA to put pressure on Ukraine to agree to Moscow's conditions for an end to the war. The Americans have the leverage to actually exert pressure and influence on Kiev, said Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy advisor to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, on Russian state television. "This is exactly what we are calling on our American colleagues to do. That is what is needed now," Ushakov said.
29.03.2026, 15:35
29.03.2026, 15:36
SDA
He did not say how exactly Washington should exert pressure. However, Russia has long been calling for a halt to Western arms deliveries to Ukraine. The country is also demanding that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the Donetsk region, which has not yet been fully controlled by Moscow - in return for a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has repeatedly ruled out such gifts to Russia.
Selensky complained again at the weekend that the USA was also insisting on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donbass - as a precondition for him receiving the security guarantees for Kiev that he had insisted on. Selensky had recently repeatedly criticized the fact that the USA only wanted to give these guarantees to protect against future Russian attacks if Moscow gained control of the Donbass.
Zelenskyi agrees on military cooperation in the Middle East
The USA could exert pressure by no longer supplying Ukraine with air defense systems, for example. Meanwhile, there are fears in Kiev that the USA could use their weapons for the war in the Middle East. Selensky explained, however, that the weapons destined for Ukraine have not yet been diverted.
Selensky traveled to countries in the Middle East at the weekend and, according to his own statements, signed several agreements on military cooperation. Ukrainian drone experts are also deployed in the region to help defend against Iranian drone attacks.
Selensky also spoke out in favor of resuming the trilateral negotiations with representatives of Kiev and Moscow under US mediation. He complained that the US negotiators were not leaving their country at the moment due to the war with Iran. Russia had agreed to new talks.
