Ukraine marked a grim milestone today—1,000 days since Russia’s invasion began. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the occasion to renew calls for intensified efforts against Russia, accusing President Vladimir Putin of prioritizing “money and power” over human lives and international norms.
Speaking at an extraordinary session of the European Parliament, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of undermining Russia’s military and financial capabilities to force meaningful peace negotiations. He urged coordinated actions, including targeting Russian ammunition depots, disrupting logistics, destroying air bases, and confiscating Russian assets.
“Putin does not value people or rules; he values only money and power,” Zelenskyy said in a social media post. “These are the things we must take away from him to restore peace.” He added, “A thousand days of war is a tremendous challenge. Ukraine deserves to make the next year the year of peace.”
On the same day, Russia accused Ukraine of firing long-range U.S.-made missiles into its territory. According to Moscow, six ATACMS ballistic missiles struck a facility in Bryansk early Tuesday morning. Kyiv has not commented on the incident, but it follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to use longer-range missiles against Russian targets.
The Biden administration had previously restricted the use of such weapons to prevent escalating the conflict, but the shift indicates a growing alignment with Ukraine’s strategy to pressure Russia on multiple fronts.
Deputy Ambassador Brown of the United Kingdom strongly condemned Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, highlighting the “appalling disregard for human life” in the ongoing conflict.
While the war continues to wreak havoc, Zelenskyy’s statements reflected a renewed commitment to ending the conflict on terms that ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
As the war enters its 1,001st day, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution but bracing for further escalation.
