Ukraine and Russia: What Leaders Actually Said
Verbatim quotes from world leaders on the war in Ukraine — negotiations, strikes, and sanctions — each linked to its original source.
“what Ukraine should give away or what concessions they should make”
“introduce a new era in world relations”
“the world will be watching”
“important that Russia finally and seriously engages in negotiations about a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement”
“in a normal state on the battlefield”
“not looking to kill lots of people”
“still people under the rubble”
“the Russians could not have been unaware”
“squeezing Ukraine is not the right approach, and that's why Europe is standing by Ukraine”
“we don’t like to hear a thing like that”
“Russia does not want any kind of de-escalation”
“gave no indication that Russia is willing”
“trying to take maximum advantage of the shortage of ballistic missile interceptors”
“clearly demonstrates that de-escalation steps are possible when Russia is the one put in a position where it has to take steps toward de-escalation”
“including ways to involve Türkiye and all of Europe”
“How can you have a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine if you don't have the ability to talk to both Russia and Ukraine?”
“have sufficient stocks of PAC-3 interceptors in their warehouses”
“not an aberration of the Trump presidency”
“things will not go back to the way they were”
“deepest possible partnership short of accession”
“How would it have been if I told Putin I wanted Stephen Hubbard back, then put sanctions on?”
“May the bloodthirsty warmongers, who push for a war that never ends, burn in hell!”
“Our guys tried to be a little more careful during these days. But they do not have an order”
“Just how many terrorist strikes has Russia carried out against our people since sanctions were lifted on certain Russian oligarchs and the Russian energy sector, rather than de-escalating?”
“with the support, incidentally, of the First Lady of the United States”
“where a regular commuter train and a regular passenger train were standing”
“to move from quality to quantity”
“Starlink and Starshield operations have been restored”
“now where they need to be”
“a truly strong and very timely step”
“as Russia needs to see and feel that Ukraine will not be left alone”
“absolute caution and vigilance are necessary in such contacts”
“taking into account the realities on the ground”
“can never find solutions without Ukraine”
“Russia, perhaps China and the United States of America”
“we’re taking in massive amounts of money through tariffs”
“ready to negotiate and seek solutions to this difficult, complex situation”
“Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine”
“EU membership is what we want for you. You can count on Germany’s support, as well as my personal support. As the European Union, we have done our part, but you must do yours as well. Reforms and political will must come from you”
“any proposals for a ceasefire, an end to the war, an energy ceasefire as well as humanitarian initiatives”
“has to want to make a deal”
“I think it’s going to be a very bad thing”
“For example, how are you going to reach a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine if you don’t talk to Russia and Ukraine? You have to talk to them, right?”
“the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles”
“because Europe has been supporting Ukraine”
“some political decision has been made to slow down … support for us”
“the three most powerful nuclear-armed nations on Earth”
“a horrific Russian strike”
“doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did”
“he could have made a better deal two years ago than he can now”
“I would do it, not so much for Ukraine because Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine”
“Great progress is being made, and that includes current hostage negotiations!”
“Signing that document at this time will do that, and I can sign it later, or any time that I want!”
“deblocked by the American side”
“Starlink or Starshield technology”
“very little, if anything, to help the Islamic Republic of Iran”
“that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table”
“blocked for some period of time”
“I can sign it later, or any time that I want!”
“not just because of Iran and not just because of the straits of Hormuz but increasingly because of the Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia”
“supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end”
“important that everyone in America also sees what is really happening”
“Putin wants to destroy us”
“could have helped enormously — and still can!”
“more difficult to deal with”
“only standing up for Ukraine's interests”
“within a short period of time”
“any limits on speed or usage”
“my partners told me that the administration and the White House sent a message to SpaceX asking them”
“but we have seen that Russia did not respect it, not a single minute”
“Zelensky is not a good guy for us to deal with”
“a dangerous and unpleasant surprise”
“unless Russia stops this war”
“deliberately chose to escalate”
“There will be no ceasefire”
“not the right side of history”
“precisely at a time when the speed of our defensive capabilities is being artificially restricted”
“we are losing a strong partner”
“owned and controlled by the US governmen”
“It is a very risky choice”
“a legitimisation for Moscow while its bombs are still falling on Ukrainian cities”
“implicit weakening of the sanctions lever”
“to push Putin to sit down at the negotiating table”
“I think what's happening is he wants to make a deal, and we have to get Zelensky to want to make a deal. Where are you from?”
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled”
“behind you and that will not change”
+15 sources
- borehamwoodtimes.co.uk ↗︎
- royston-crow.co.uk ↗︎
- huntspost.co.uk ↗︎
- eastlothiancourier.com ↗︎
- eveningnews24.co.uk ↗︎
- sloughobserver.co.uk ↗︎
- penarthtimes.co.uk ↗︎
- falmouthpacket.co.uk ↗︎
- burytimes.co.uk ↗︎
- harrowtimes.co.uk ↗︎
- bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk ↗︎
- yourlocalguardian.co.uk ↗︎
- times-series.co.uk ↗︎
- northsomersettimes.co.uk ↗︎
- witneygazette.co.uk ↗︎
“there are different rationales behind this decision”
“prepared to sit down and discuss”
“looking at all possible avenues”
“no early warning from our partners”
“We ask America and EVERYONE in the world who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond — and to respond forcefully”
“there is a lot of hatred between the two of them”
“don't know how to get there”
“Because I said, ‘You agree.’”
“have to get together and end that ridiculous war”
“a deal for the rest of the world”
“I made the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!”
“the best route to get energy and fuel back into world markets”
“sudden but very important post”
“AFTER the President of the United States made his statement about an energy ceasefire”
“time for Ukraine to get a new president”
“Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!”
“to the American and global marketplace”
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!”
“it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president”
“We said, ‘You can do whatever you want to Russia. Don’t hit the refineries because that’s a world problem,’”
“more money to inflict suffering on us”
“with further terror and perfidy”
“based on the condition of their diesel refineries”
“Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!”
“real efforts to end the war”
“could quickly turn what is a war between two countries into a much broader and far more dangerous regional conflict”
“fighting to save the lives of people injured”
“I could've done very bad things to Hillary Clinton”
“every day looking for Patriot (missile interception) systems that can and must protect people's lives”
“travelled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks”
“I will tell President Zelensky today: 'You can continue to count on our help,'”
“I will tell President Zelenskiy today: ‘You can continue to count on our help,’”
“constantly raises the issue”
“will take “further measures””
“I said to them, where is my FP-9?”
“very quickly and unexpectedly”
“an enemy (NATO) twice our size”
“everything is written correctly”
“Basically what we said is, ‘Hey, listen, we are defensive alliance, and stop the nuclear threat. This is absolutely not called for and not helpful,’”
“to divide us and lose the focus”
“simply reiterated his official position condemning Russia”
“and we continue to remain ready to return to it”
“it was appropriate in every aspect not to disclose”
“escalating every single day”
“What’s the point of rebuilding [it]?”
“against Russia and everyone who props up its war financially”
“numerous strikes on residential homes”
“agreement of a positive nature”
“They are the ones who started it. Everywhere, on every front. Are these playthings, child's play?”
“bear full responsibility in accordance with the law”
“concrete agreements in place”
“We do not believe it is right to impose on Türkiye a choice between 'the West or the East,'”
“We need to double down on our affordable, homegrown, clean energy, be it renewables and nuclear, or biomethane and others”
“strong increases in prices”
“People that you give that technology, they can some day turn on you. You know that is possible”
“some of the greatest treasures of that proud history”
“The perpetrator of this evil must bear full responsibility in accordance with the law”
“lost control of its Diesel Oil Industry”
“ridiculous and never ending”
“paralyze or at least weaken the motivation of NATO countries”
“will not end this war without pressure”
“we all know what it's about”
“So, to add another thousand square kilometers, Putin is paying with 248 people for every kilometer. Does anyone still think that he’s reasonable and moderate?”
“we’re going to make a deal”
“if we're not at the table, we're on the menu”
“support the weak points of the Russian army”
“the more evil he will leave behind in this world”
“Something always seems to stop Putin from saying, ‘That’s it. Enough, Peace,’”
“to find the right deal in order to open”
“hybrid drone and missile strikes”
“when Ukrainians live every day under the threat of missile and drone attacks”
“acting to secure the interests of Britain and the wider region”
“What is the purpose of the United Nations?”
“millions of people are backing our fighters”
“25,000 people, mostly soldiers”
“imitating a willingness to negotiate while openly issuing ultimatums to Russia”
“find a role in finding that potential balance”
“This ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended. The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month. What a shame!”
“The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month. What a shame!”
“do everything to support national security, but it can’t come at the expense of social security”
“article 5 is more theoretical than practical”
“not spending on Ukraine anymore”
“themselves violate international law and sit in the Security Council”
“to become a great-power rival — only with better manners”
“an extremely powerful tool that can stop this terrorist war and bring Russia to the point where it has to make peace”
“Your choice and your will will once again demonstrate that millions of people stand behind our soldiers, that we are a united people bound together by shared values, historical memory, and love for our homeland, and that no one will succeed in dividing or intimidating us”
“Russia has grown increasingly reckless”
“see the world with the same eyes”
“serving in Nato missions around the world”
“fracture in the international rules-based system”
“set out our ideas to make a European Security Council a reality”
“genuinely ready to stop this war aimed at destroying life, and to do so for real and for the long term”
“prices are coming down sharply”
“ready to support de-escalation”
“desperation and also his desire to sow fear and terror”
“Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!”
“expects concrete proposals from our partners”
“but not all of them will be made public”
“how desperate Putin has become”
“was clearly a message to the western world”
“isn’t done by the Middle East, this is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine”
“represent 50% of the world's population, 40% of global GDP, and more than 25% of global trade”
“positive, constructive and meaningful”
“grateful to India for its commitment to ending this unjust war”
“eight Russian infrastructure targets that support the war effort”
“THEY ARE ON THE RISE, and not going to take it anymore!”
“as much harm to life as possible”
“China and Britain both support multilateralism and open trade”
“very good, worthwhile ideas”
“Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe”
“not looking to attack Nato territory”
“one of the main guarantees of security”
“will effectively be closing”
“We would not add fuel to the fire, and above all we would not profiteer”