London – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for further “hard measures” against Russia to push President Vladimir Putin into a ceasefire agreement, which after another round of drone strikes that Moscow “couldn’t worry less about diplomacy.”
Long-range strikes have continued throughout US-mediated efforts to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, intended as a springboard for a wider peace agreement to end Russia’s 3-year invasion of his neighbor.
Both Kyiv and Moscow last week agreed to freeze attacks in the Black Sea and about energy infrastructure, although both have since accused the other of violating the break of attacking energy targets.
In a Sunday Evening Video address, Zelenskyy reported “More strikes and shooting” in seven Ukrainian regions. “The geography and brutality of Russian strikes, not only occasionally, but literally every day and night, shows that Putin couldn’t worry less about diplomacy,” he said.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyattends A meeting with the British Prime Minister at the British ambassador’s residence after the Ukraine summit in Paris, France, March 27, 2025.
Benjamin Girette/Epa-Effe/Shutterstock
“For several weeks now there has been an American proposal for an unconditional truce,” Zelenskyy continued. “And almost every day, in response to this proposal, there are Russian drones, bombs, artillery shooting and ballistic strikes.”
“Russia deserves increased pressure – all the hard measures that can break its capacity to wage war and maintain the system that wants nothing but war,” Zelenskyy said. “Sanctions against Russia are important. More air defense for Ukraine is important. More cooperation and unity among all partners are crucial.”
President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday about his apparent frustration over the lack of progress towards a peace deal in Ukraine and told NBC News he was “very angry” over Putin after the Russian leader again criticized Zelenskyy and called for his removal in favor of a transitional government.
Trump added that he would consider using new sanctions against Russia’s lucrative oil exports and on all nations that buy its oil. China and India are among the most important customers for Russian oil products.
The president later told journalists about Air Force One that his administration made significant progress towards ending the war. When asked about his relationship with Putin, Trump replied, “I don’t think he will return to his word.”
“I’ve known him for a long time,” Trump said. “We have always come together well despite Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax.”
This combination of images created on March 30, 2025, President Donald Trump shows in the White House on March 24, 2025 in Washington, DC and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 18, 2025.
Brendan Smialowskimaxim Shemetov/AFP via Getty Images
The president said he was “disappointed” about Putin’s latest attack on Zelenskyy. “He considers him not credible, he should make an appointment with him, whether you like him or you don’t like him, so I wasn’t happy with it.”
When asked if there was a deadline for Russia to accept a ceasefire, Trump suggested that there was a “psychological deadline.” He added, “If I think they knock on us, I won’t be happy about it.”
Russia and Ukraine continued cross -border strikes through Sunday night to Monday morning.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched two missiles and 131 drones inland overnight, of which it said 57 drones were shot down and 45 lost during flight without causing damage. Sumy, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv and ZhytomyR regions were influenced by the attack, the air defense said in a post to Telegram.
The Ministry of Russia, meanwhile, said its forces shot down 66 Ukrainian drones overnight -41 over the Bryan region, 24 over the Kaluga region and one over the Kursk region.
ABC News’ Hannah Demissie and Will Gretsky contributed to this report.
