Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Vladimir Putin must choose between continuing the war or pursuing diplomacy during the European Political Community Summit [1].

The demand underscores the urgency for a coordinated international response as the conflict persists. By calling for a unified European voice, Zelenskyy seeks to increase pressure on the Kremlin to end its military operations in Ukraine [2].

Speaking at the summit on Monday in June 2025, Zelenskyy highlighted the human cost of the ongoing conflict. He said that Russia chooses to kill [3]. The president urged European leaders to present a single, cohesive front to discourage further Russian aggression, and to force a decision from the Russian leadership [2].

Zelenskyy emphasized that the timeline for diplomatic delays has expired. He said that the war is now in its fifth year and we cannot wait any longer for peace talks [4]. This timeline aligns with reports that the conflict has entered its fifth year [4].

The president's remarks at the EPC Summit focused on the necessity of immediate action over prolonged deliberation. He said that the international community must move beyond tentative support to a position of strength that compels Putin to opt for a diplomatic resolution [2].

Zelenskyy reiterated that the choice rests solely with the Russian president. He said that Vladimir Putin must choose war or diplomacy [1].

“Vladimir Putin must choose war or diplomacy.”

Zelenskyy's ultimatum reflects a strategic shift toward demanding a definitive binary choice from the Kremlin. By framing the conflict as a choice between total war and diplomacy while simultaneously calling for European unity, Ukraine is attempting to eliminate the 'gray zone' of partial concessions that Russia has previously used to prolong the conflict.