Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for intensified efforts to bring the war with Russia to an end next year through diplomatic means. His remarks come amid shifting geopolitical dynamics following Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election victory and Russia’s continued military advances.
Speaking in a Ukrainian radio interview aired Saturday, Zelenskiy expressed skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to pursue a peace agreement, suggesting Moscow may prefer to use negotiations as a cover for continued aggression. “From our side, we must do everything so that this war ends next year, ends through diplomatic means,” he stated.
Moscow Open to Talks—With Conditions
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva suggested on Thursday that Moscow might consider negotiations under Trump’s initiative. However, the ambassador emphasized that any agreement must acknowledge “realities on the ground,” a phrase often used by Moscow to imply Ukraine should concede four partially occupied regions claimed by Russia.
Zelenskiy, who has consistently maintained that peace is unattainable without the withdrawal of all Russian forces and the return of all occupied territories, did not mention Ukraine’s pre-1991 borders in his recently unveiled “victory plan.”
Trump and the War’s End
Zelenskiy speculated that the conflict could end more quickly under Trump, who has frequently vowed to resolve the war swiftly, though without detailing how. However, U.S. law prevents Zelenskiy from meeting Trump before his inauguration on January 20.
“We will do everything that depends on us (to ensure a meeting). We had a really good meeting in September,” Zelenskiy said, emphasizing that he would prefer direct talks with Trump rather than engaging with intermediaries.
Challenges in Eastern Ukraine
The eastern front remains highly contested, with Zelenskiy acknowledging that the situation in Donetsk is particularly challenging. Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the capture of two villages, Makarivka and Hryhorivka, as part of its continued push near the strategically significant town of Kurakhove.
Ukraine’s General Staff did not confirm these territorial losses but noted that the Kurakhove sector is currently the most intense battlefield along the 1,000-km (600-mile) front line. Kurakhove, with its thermal power plant, is a critical logistical hub for Ukraine, just 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the key town of Pokrovsk.
Russia’s recent advances in eastern Ukraine mark its fastest territorial gains since the early months of the war in 2022.
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Equipping Brigades Amid Delays
Zelenskiy pointed to significant delays in equipping Ukrainian brigades, partly due to prolonged U.S. Congressional approval processes for aid packages last winter. These delays, lasting up to a year, have hampered Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
“In order to stop the Russian army, new reserves, kitted out with the equipment we have been waiting for so long, will now arrive,” he said.
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Boosting Domestic Weapons Production
To strengthen its defenses, Ukraine has been ramping up domestic weapons production. Zelenskiy revealed that the country is currently testing four new missile types.
