Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urges increased pressure on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for more pressure on Russia, saying it must “feel what war is.”

In his nightly video address on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said recent long-range attacks on Russian military sites have been effective. However, he stressed that “the pressure on Russia must be maintained and increased at different levels.”

He also mentioned that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, currently on a visit to South Korea, is discussing concerns about Russia’s possible collaboration with North Korea in its war against Ukraine with South Korean leaders.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is urging Ukraine to grow its army by drafting more troops and changing its laws to allow conscription from the age of 18 instead of 25.

A senior US official, speaking anonymously, said on Wednesday that Ukraine needs more soldiers to counter Russia’s larger military as the war nears its third year. The official warned that Ukraine is not recruiting or training enough troops to replace those lost in battle while keeping up with Russia’s expanding forces.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine was also discussed at a summit in Sweden on Wednesday, attended by the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic countries and Poland’s Donald Tusk.

During the meeting in Harpsund, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that the leaders had pledged to increase support for Ukraine, including providing more ammunition.

“We have a neighbour in need, and we must help. Our countries are the largest per capita contributors to Ukraine,” Kristersson said.

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposed creating a “sea police” in the Baltic Sea to strengthen regional security, a suggestion he said was well-received by other leaders.