Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States and European allies to respond decisively to sustained Russian drone and missile strikes, which he said are undermining international diplomatic efforts to end the war.
In an evening address on 29 March, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had been subjected to 172 drone attacks the previous night, with more than 100 of them identified as Shahed-type loitering munitions. These Iranian-designed drones have been deployed extensively by Russia since 2022. He said that such large-scale attacks, often accompanied by missile and ballistic threats, now occur on an almost nightly basis.
“This scale of drone attacks cannot be ignored,” Zelenskyy said. “Our partners must understand that these Russian strikes are targeting not only Ukrainian civilians but all international efforts aimed at ending this war through diplomacy. Russia is striking at the positions of everyone who wants peace.”
Zelenskyy emphasised the need for a firm and coordinated reaction from Ukraine’s allies. “We are working to secure such a reaction,” he said. “A strong response is essential—primarily from the United States and Europe, but also from all countries that support a diplomatic resolution. Russia must be compelled to pursue peace, and only sustained pressure will bring results.”
Ukrainian president criticised the lack of engagement from Moscow regarding a longstanding proposal by the United States for an unconditional ceasefire. He suggested that meaningful progress could already have been made had there been sufficient international pressure on Russia.
“This American proposal for a ceasefire has remained unanswered by Russia for too long,” he said. “That speaks volumes. There could already be a ceasefire if Russia had faced genuine pressure.”
Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s partners who continue to develop and implement new sanctions against the Russian Federation. Without naming specific states, he stressed the importance of sustained economic pressure to constrain Russia’s ability to continue its military campaign.
Providing a brief operational update, Zelenskyy stated that he had spoken with Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, about the situation along the front line, including areas where Ukrainian forces are conducting operations on Russian territory.
He said Ukrainian troops are maintaining active operations aimed at preventing Russian forces from advancing into the Sumy and Kharkiv regions in the northeast. “We are maintaining activity that prevents the occupier from entering Sumy region, and also our Kharkiv region,” he said. “I thank all our units for their resilience—from Kursk region [in Russia] to the southern directions.”
While Ukrainian president did not provide specifics on cross-border activities, Ukrainian forces have previously acknowledged conducting limited operations on Russian soil, including drone strikes and sabotage missions targeting military infrastructure near the border.
Zelenskyy’s remarks follow reports of intensified Russian offensive activity along several axes, particularly in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Ukrainian officials have continued to request increased deliveries of air defence systems, artillery shells, and longer-range strike capabilities to counter what Kyiv describes as Russia’s strategy of attrition.
Delays in Western military aid, especially in the United States, where an additional support package remains stalled in Congress, have led Ukrainian officials to warn of the consequences of inadequate resupply. They argue that Russian forces have taken advantage of this uncertainty to escalate drone and missile campaigns.
In recent months, Western governments have pledged further military and financial support, though Ukrainian authorities have pressed for accelerated delivery, especially of air defence assets. Shahed drones, typically launched in waves designed to exhaust Ukrainian defences, remain a significant challenge.
Ukraine’s air force reports varying levels of success in intercepting these drones and accompanying missiles, but the frequency and scale of attacks have placed growing strain on its air defence network. Kyiv relies heavily on Western-supplied systems such as NASAMS, IRIS-T, and Patriot batteries.
As the war continues into its fourth year, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s position that peace must be achieved through diplomacy underpinned by military deterrence and international law. He said that the international community must match its rhetoric with action if it is serious about ending the conflict.
Read also:
Trump Administration Proposes Expansive Minerals Deal with Ukraine
