President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is trying to expand its military presence along the borders, including from the side of Belarus. He also noted that Moscow continues to pressure the front line while remaining dependent on energy revenues that could be limited by sanctions.
He made the statement during a meeting with journalists.
Russia aims to create buffer zones along the borders
According to Zelenskyy, Russia seeks to establish a buffer zone along the entire border – both from its own territory and from Belarus.
This includes Ukraine’s northern regions, particularly Chernihiv Oblast and Sumy Oblast. At the same time, the president said he does not currently see a threat from Transnistria.
He emphasized that the real danger exists where Russian troops are already deployed.
Russia focuses on the Pokrovsk direction
Zelenskyy reported a concentration of Russian forces in southern directions, particularly in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
“Their main objective remains unchanged – the Pokrovsk direction. It is an important city for them, and they have long tried to capture it. It is also critical for us, as it forms part of our defensive line,” he said.
Spring and summer will be difficult for Ukraine
The president predicts a challenging period for Ukraine until September, even in the event of de-escalation. He warned of both political and diplomatic pressure, as well as possible escalation on the battlefield.
He also noted that active international diplomacy may be influenced by domestic political processes in the United States, including elections.
Ukraine receives new Patriot missiles
Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine has recently received a new batch of missiles for the Patriot air defense system.
He said deliveries continue and that Kyiv is working with partners to further strengthen air defense. At the same time, he warned that global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, could affect the level of U.S. support.
Ukraine urged to avoid strikes on Russian oil infrastructure
Zelenskyy confirmed that international partners had asked Ukraine to refrain from striking Russian oil facilities due to risks for global energy markets, especially amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
However, he stressed that Russian oil does not have a critical impact on global prices.
Russia gains little from Middle East conflict
The president said Russia is unlikely to have gained significant profits from rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Even partial compensation for the budget deficit does not change Russia’s overall financial situation.
Zelenskyy expressed hope that international partners will restore full-scale sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, as energy resources remain a key source of funding for the war.
Ukraine prepares agreements with Europe on drone defense
Zelenskyy announced upcoming talks with European partners on long-term cooperation in countering drones.
According to him, Ukraine plans to scale up a cooperation model already used with Middle Eastern countries, covering not only security but also financing and European integration issues.
Context
In March 2026, Russian forces failed to achieve territorial gains in Ukraine for the first time in more than two and a half years, according to Agence France-Presse, citing data from the Institute for the Study of War.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Russia is considering creating a buffer zone in Vinnytsia Oblast from the side of Transnistria.
