Zelenskyy after speaking with Macron: threat of missile strikes remains particularly high in coming days

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks on Saturday, 10 October, with French President Emmanuel Macron about the problems created by the US easing of sanctions on Russian oil products. Zelenskyy wrote on X that the conversation took place while Russia was carrying out a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv. The exchange matters because Ukraine is seeking both stronger international pressure on Moscow and more protection against air strikes.

Air defence

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine clearly needs additional air defence packages and is working with all its partners to secure the necessary decisions. He said the threat of further missile strikes remains particularly high over the coming days.

Pressure on Russia

The president said pressure on Russia must be stepped up in response, and that bold, joint steps are needed. According to him, the leaders discussed the challenges created by the easing of sanctions on oil products. Russia, he said, must feel that it will have no capacity left to prolong the war. Zelenskyy added that the sides are coordinating substantively and preparing meetings.

What came before

US President Donald Trump said the previous day that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and agreed on supplies of Russian diesel fuel to the US and global markets. The Finnish prime minister called the agreement a "terrible disappointment". Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described Trump's decision as a major mistake and called for stronger support for Ukraine so that it can "turn Russian oil refineries into ruins".