On July 26, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his sharpest ask yet: crank up the pressure on Russia—hard—and end the war this year. In a televised speech, he told the world it’s now or never. Wait too long, he warned, and this war will drag into 2026. More lives lost. More billions burned.
“Russia’s already hurting,” he said. “But if we all press harder, we break them. This is the moment to hit their economy where it hurts. If we move together, we can end this war by year’s end.”
He said this as Ukraine pushes back another Russian offensive and Western support starts to stall. Zelenskyy’s message: what’s been done isn’t enough. It’s time for one last, unified hit—enough to either force Putin to the table or leave him out of options.
The Plan Behind the Plea
This isn’t just talk. Ukraine’s intel and Western analysts agree—Russia’s economy is wobbling. War costs are spiking. Sanctions are choking tech supplies. Oil money’s unstable. And hundreds of billions in Russian assets are still frozen.
Yet, Russia keeps the war going. Why? Because China, India, Turkey, and others are still doing business with Moscow.
That’s Zelenskyy’s next target. He wants tougher enforcement, sanctions on those helping Russia dodge penalties, and for frozen Russian assets abroad to be seized outright. Pressure isn’t enough anymore, he says. It’s time to cut Russia off—completely.
He’s also urging allies to close the gaps that let Russian energy, metals, and goods keep flowing. “Every ruble they earn keeps this war alive,” he said.
Frozen Cash, Real Consequences
Zelenskyy’s biggest demand? Seize Russia’s central bank assets—over $300 billion still frozen. Use it to rebuild Ukraine, arm defenses, and show the world that war comes with a price.
It’s a bold move. Some European countries fear lawsuits or market chaos if they grab those funds. But the U.S. and Canada seem more open. Zelenskyy’s July 26 speech might tip the scales.
The 2025 Window
This time, there’s a deadline. Zelenskyy wants the war over this year. He sees a short window—Russia’s not defeated, but it’s weakened. Attention’s still on Ukraine. Allies are still watching. But momentum could slip.
“If we don’t act now, we could still be at war in 2026,” he warned. “That means more death. More destruction. More chaos across Europe and beyond.”
He linked that urgency to the battlefield too. Russia’s been ramping up attacks on civilians and infrastructure. He says that shows both fear and firepower. Cut off the money, he says, and you shift the whole fight.
Risks and Reality
Zelenskyy knows the risks. Tougher sanctions could trigger blowback, especially with countries like China. Seizing assets might spook global markets or get tied up in court. And even if it all works, Russia might still dig in.
But doing nothing? That’s worse. This war is bleeding the world—economically, politically, morally. It’s hitting energy markets, draining weapons stockpiles, and pulling focus from every other crisis.
Zelenskyy’s framing this moment as a turning point. His ask is clear: choke Russia’s economy now, while we still can.
The question is—will the world act in time? Or let this war roll on, with no end in sight?
