Ukraine\u2019s president vows to continue retaliating against Russian attacks on his country\u2019s energy facilities and civilian sites, despite criticism from neighbours Slovakia and Hungary. <\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s president has vowed to continue retaliating against Russian attacks on his country\u2019s energy facilities and civilian sites, despite criticism from neighbours Slovakia and Hungary. Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the remarks after meeting Slovakia\u2019s prime minister in the Ukrainian border city of Uzhhorod.
By Stefan J. Bos<\/p>\n
They struggled to smile for the cameras as they met at a secured location near the Slovak and Hungarian borders. Slovakia\u2019s Prime Minister Robert Fico sought assurances from Ukraine\u2019s leader that Kyiv would stop targeting Russian energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Fico told reporters afterward that while Slovakia respects Ukraine\u2019s right to defend itself, it should also \u201crespect the interests of others.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he raised concerns about Ukrainian strikes on Russian facilities and \u201cthe halt of natural gas supplies to Slovakia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, insisted Ukraine must keep hitting Russia\u2019s energy revenues to weaken Moscow\u2019s ability to wage war.<\/p>\n
He said the matter was discussed this week with U.S. President Donald Trump and other European leaders. \u201cPresident Trump expects a stronger Europe, with better coordination between Europe and the United States. At the same time, he\u2019s very disappointed with some European countries, especially Hungary and Slovakia, because they continue to buy Russian oil,\u201d Zelenskyy stressed.<\/p>\n
Warning to Hungary <\/p>\n
\u201cThat means they are helping to fund Russia\u2019s war machine. The less money Putin makes from oil, the less he can spend on war and destabilization,\u201d Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n
He added that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, a close ally of Trump, also needs to hear those signals directly from Washington.<\/p>\n
Both Slovakia and Hungary complain that households are suffering because of energy shortages linked to the war.<\/p>\n
Despite ongoing fighting, efforts are still underway to arrange prisoner exchanges. Australia\u2019s Ukrainian community is urging politicians to include Oscar Jenkins, a 33-year-old Australian captured while fighting for Ukraine.<\/p>\n
He was sentenced to 13 years\u2019 imprisonment in Russia on mercenary charges, and supporters warn he risks becoming a forgotten prisoner of war.<\/p>\n
\n Listen to Stefan Bos’ report\n <\/p>\n
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