Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his nightly address on Friday to appeal for the fast delivery of weapons and economic support to Ukraine, as well as tougher sanctions on Russia, to end the conflict as soon as possible. He noted some reports suggest the war could end in a few weeks, while others suggest "several years".
He said: "The more and the sooner we get all the weapons we have requested, the stronger our position will be and the sooner peace will come. The more and the sooner we get the financial support we have requested, the sooner there will be peace. The sooner the democratic world recognises that the oil embargo against Russia and the complete blockade of its banking sector are necessary steps towards peace, the sooner the war will end."
And he condemned the "cruelty" shown by Russian forces in some regions, adding: "Maybe somewhere in Russia cruelty is respected. But in Ukraine cruelty is despised. And punished. And it is obligatory."
