Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned senior Russian officials to end the war in Ukraine or risk becoming a target.
In an interview on Thursday with Axios, Zelenskyy said that sites in Russia could be targeted, after range restrictions on weapons provided by Ukraine’s allies were lifted.
“They have to know where their bomb shelters are. If they will not stop the war, they will need it,” Zelenskyy said in an interview with The Axios Show in New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly.
The Ukrainian president says his country’s military has combat drones that can travel up to 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles). The Kremlin, the seat of Russia’s presidency and Vladimir Putin‘s official residence, is approximately 450 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
Zelenskyy says civilians won’t be targeted
In May, Ukraine’s allies Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the US lifted a range of restrictions on weapons they provide to Kyiv.
German Chancellor Merz said at the time that the move would allow Ukraine to “defend itself (…) by attacking military positions in Russia.”
Ukraine has recently stepped up its attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy said this month that hitting Russia’s oil refineries are the “most effective sanctions.“
In the Axios interview, Zelenskyy explained he was hoping for the US to deliver an unspecified type of long-range weapon.
He insisted that Ukraine would not launch attacks on civilian targets, adding: “We are not terrorists.”
Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly labeled Russia as “terrorists” for their bombings of civilian infrastructure and residential areas.
What did Zelenskyy say about holding elections in Ukraine?
Responding to a question about criticism from US President Donald Trump and his government over the war-time suspension of elections in Ukraine, Zelenskyy insisted he would not try to remain in power once the war is over.
“My goal is to finish the war,” Zelenskyy said, adding that he has no intention to stand in elections.
Earlier this year, Trump had accused Zelenskyy of being a dictator who was using the war as a pretext to cling to power.
Why is Trump growing increasingly impatient with Putin?
But Trump’s stance toward the conflict has shifted in recent months from favoring Russia’s narrative amid his growing frustration and impatience with Putin over the lack of progress on a ceasefire.
On Tuesday, Trump suggested Ukraine could regain all of the land it has lost to Russia since 2014, after insisting for months that Kyiv would have to accept ceding territory to Moscow.
The shift in stance comes after an historic summit in Alaska between Trump and Putin — held under the slogan Pursuing Peace — has failed to yield any sort of progress on halting the war.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
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