US weapons could push Putin to negotiating table, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that any offensive weapons provided by the United States could force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, even if such weapons, including missiles that can strike deep inside Russian territory, aren't used.

Zelenskyy made the remarks in an interview with the US news outlet Newsmax, per Caliber.Az.

On July 14, President Donald Trump announced a plan to rearm Ukraine with missiles and other weaponry, including Patriot air-defence systems, and warned of "very severe tariffs" if Putin does not end the war in 50 days. Russia rejected Trump's ultimatum the next day, July 15, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov saying "any attempts to make demands, especially ultimatums, are unacceptable to us."

On July 15, Trump reportedly downplayed the possibility of sending Ukraine long-range weapons that would give Kyiv a chance to strike further into Russian territory, a move that some in Ukraine and the U.S. have said could help push Putin toward negotiations to end the fighting.

"President Trump and all of America and Europe know that we want peace and an end to the war," Zelenskyy said.

"But the Russians understand only force. So, only strong sanctions and only strong weapons. We are ready for action, for a demonstration of force.

"I remember that we had a powerful deterrence package before President Trump became president. I wanted America to sell us such a package. But it was not done. We talked to President Trump about these things. I would really like us to be strong. A demonstration of strength forces Putin to the negotiating table. It is not a fact that we will have to use this force, but if Russia knows about its existence, it is already a strong argument for ending the war."

By Khagan Isayev