Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the world today, Thursday, to take action to “change the regime” in Russia and to seize its assets rather than merely freeze them. He argued that the current leadership's continuation means Moscow will keep trying to destabilize neighboring countries even after the war ends.

Zelensky spoke via video during a conference marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the historic Helsinki Agreement between East and West blocs in 1975, which guaranteed non-violation of borders—a principle breached by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He stated, “I believe it is possible to pressure Russia into ending this war. They started it, and we can force them to end it. But if the world does not aim to change the regime in Russia, it means Moscow will keep destabilizing neighboring countries even after the war.”

Zelensky also called for the actual confiscation of frozen Russian assets, expressing gratitude to everyone who imposes sanctions on Russia and prepares new ones.

Disabling the War Machine

“We must disable Russia’s war machine, halt its military industry, reduce its energy profits, and use all frozen Russian assets—including those stemming from corruption—to defend the world against Russian aggression,” Zelensky said.

He continued, “It’s time to seize Russian assets, not just freeze them—confiscate them and use them to serve peace, not war.”

He concluded, “I’m confident that the day will come when Ukraine lives in peace... a day when Russia is forced to recognize its true borders. That day is coming because Europe remains united.”

These statements came just hours after a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least six people.

Excluding Russia

Ukraine has been demanding—so far unsuccessfully—that Russia be excluded from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In July 2024, Moscow announced it was suspending participation in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, though Russia remains listed as a member state on the organization’s official website.

Finland closed its 1,340-kilometer border with Russia in December 2023 after the arrival of about a thousand visa-less migrants—an act Helsinki sees as a Moscow-orchestrated attempt to destabilize the country, despite Kremlin denials.

A 200-kilometer fence is now being constructed along that border, with completion expected by 2026.