ITALY, ROME, Jul 10 — Strong sanctions will impact the Russians’ readiness to talk (about ceasefire), really talk, not hide behind exchanges, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, reports Gwara Media journalist.

“Imagine how much Russia pays for this war,” he asked. “Putin counts on an army of 1.5 billion troops. He has 1.2 billion. What can stop this money?” 

Zelenskyy’s data says Putin might spend $300 billion on the Russian war effort next year, and “sanctions will stop his ability to finance (the war) this much.” 

“Undoubtedly, exchanges are also important. But let’s be frank — they happened before, not on that scale, but they did,” Zelenskyy said. “(It’s their) unwillingness to end the war.” 

According to Zelenskyy’s information, a Russian contract soldier gets a salary of $6,000-8,000 from the state and municipal budgets (presumably, per month — ed.). 

The President of Ukraine also said that he thinks Donald Trump, American President, recognizes that Russia has no desire to stop the war, and thanked him for the “signals” he gave “during a meeting and in the media.” 

A few hours after Zelenskyy’s address and press conference, Reuters wrote that Trump wants to use presidential authority like his predecessor, Joe Biden, did to send weapons to Ukraine, referring to two of their sources familiar with the decision.

Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine has to have a strong army and “move ahead towards contract (military service).”  

Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome is an annual high-level political event dedicated to the “swift recovery and long-term reconstruction of Ukraine.” 

UPD from July 11, 00:14 — Mistranslation in the headline fixed.

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