Bad PR: Ukraine shows off arms factory while Zelensky insists Russia doesn't want peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday pointed to a series of Russian assaults last evening as evidence that the Russians did not seriously intend to pursue peace. His statements, however, came the same day that the country gave the Associated Press access to a crucial arms factor and touted its growing arms industry's preparation for a broader war.

"Last night, the Russian army set one of its insane anti-records. They targeted civilian infrastructure facilities, residential buildings, and our people," Zelensky posted on X, along with images of the fallout.

"And the Russians carried out this attack as if nothing has changed at all, as if there are no global efforts to stop this war. This requires a response," he went on. "There is still no signal from Moscow that they truly intend to engage in substantive negotiations and end this war. Pressure is needed. Strong sanctions, strong tariffs. I thank everyone who is helping."

Zelensky's comments came in the wake of his meeting with President Donald Trump, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week and is attempting to arrange a meeting between the pair.

But Zelensky's message came at an awkward time as the Associated Press toured a Fire Point factory and showcased the expansion of Ukraine's defense industry.

“We believe our best guarantee is not relying on somebody’s will to protect us, but rather our ability to protect ourselves,” Arzen Zhumadilov, the head of Ukraine's procurement agency, told the outlet.

“Ukraine is in this very unique moment now where it is becoming, de facto, the Silicon Valley of defense,” one Ukrainian entrepreneur told the outlet. “The biggest strategic asset that we have is that we have been at war with Russia for 11 years.”