Zelensky says wants to end war by ‘diplomatic means’ next year

AFP | Kyiv, Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed on Saturday his intention to end the war with Russia next year through “diplomatic means.” In an interview with Ukrainian radio, Zelensky emphasized the importance of ending the conflict through negotiations, stating, “For our part, we must do everything we can to ensure that this war ends next year. We have to end it by diplomatic means, and this, I think, is very important.”

The president's comments came a day after he suggested that the war could conclude sooner than expected with the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency next year. Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the war swiftly if elected.

Zelensky further underscored the need to understand Russia’s objectives in the conflict. "We are at war with a state that does not value its people, has vast resources, and is indifferent to the number of casualties," he said.

Despite the lack of meaningful talks between Russia and Ukraine, the dynamics of the war could shift with Trump’s potential presidency. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, has insisted that negotiations can only occur if Ukraine agrees to surrender occupied territory. Putin reiterated this demand in a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday.

Zelensky has firmly rejected Putin's conditions, and the conflict continues to intensify. While Russia has made significant gains in eastern Ukraine, edging closer to key hubs like Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, Zelensky reported that Russian forces were suffering heavy losses and their advance had “slowed down” in some areas