In an interview with CBS, Selenskyj noted that Russian military advances have slowed and emphasized Ukraine’s increasing attacks on Russia’s critical oil industry. He argued that for meaningful dialogue to occur in the coming months, internal pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin must be coupled with heightened sanctions from the United States and Europe. Selenskyj also stressed the importance of including European nations, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, in any potential negotiations. This statement was broadcast on May 31, 2026, by Deutschlandfunk.