Zelensky advocates for international pressure towards a shift in Russia's political leadership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a strong call for regime change in Russia during a conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act on July 31, 2025. Zelensky emphasised that Russia's leadership is entrenched in violence and rejection of the post-World War II world order, perpetuating the war by choice.
In a renewed large-scale attack on Kyiv, at least seven residents, including a 6-year-old boy, lost their lives. The Russian army claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a nine-story residential building in western Kiev. The Ukrainian army spokesperson, however, rejected Russia's claim, labelling it as false.
The Kremlin has been making incremental territorial gains, with the recent capture of Chasiv Yar, a strategically important hillside town in eastern Ukraine. Control of Chasiv Yar would mark a major military boon for Russia, paving the way for their forces to advance on remaining civilian strongholds in the eastern Donetsk region. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that Chasiv Yar was "liberated by Russian forces."
Zelensky urged Western allies to intensify economic measures, specifically urging the full confiscation of Russian assets, including corrupt wealth, to dismantle Russia’s war machine and halt its arms production. This call came shortly after a series of deadly aerial assaults on Ukraine, with Moscow increasing its attacks in recent months.
This is not the first time Zelensky has advocated for regime change, but this recent call marks one of his strongest public advocacies. He emphasised that without regime change, Moscow would continue to destabilize neighboring countries even after the war ends.
Meanwhile, the US under President Donald Trump has shown signs of impatience, setting tight deadlines for a ceasefire and moving towards providing more military aid to Ukraine. This reflects evolving international dynamics around the conflict and responses to Putin’s governance.
Despite a generational shift in elite circles within Russia, Putin's regime remains firmly in place, with resistance to outside pressure. The Russian attack on Kiev occurred just days after Trump issued a 10-day ultimatum for Moscow to halt its invasion.
Sources:
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 1). Zelensky calls for regime change in Russia. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61940241
[2] The New York Times. (2025, August 1). US Shifts Policy on Russia as Ukraine War Intensifies. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/world/europe/us-russia-ukraine.html
[3] Reuters. (2025, August 1). Seven killed in Russian attack on Kiev residential building. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/seven-killed-russian-attack-kiev-residential-building-2025-08-01/
[4] The Washington Post. (2025, August 1). Inside Russia's elite circles: A generational shift, but Putin's grip remains firm. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/inside-russias-elite-circles-a-generational-shift-but-putins-grip-remains-firm/2025/08/01/6b06c3a0-47a1-11ed-a5c5-8707a14819e4_story.html
Amidst escalating war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for intensified politics in the international community, specifically urging the full confiscation of Russian assets to dismantle Russia’s war machine. In the general news, Russia has recently expanded its territorial claims with the capture of Chasiv Yar, a strategic town in eastern Ukraine, leading to a renewed concern among Western allies.
