'Better than to fight for 10-20 years': Zelenskyy makes statement on ceasefire
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a ceasefire would be the best possible outcome if it helps save Ukrainian lives. He also said US President Donald Trump now understands that Russia, not Ukraine, is the side unwilling to end the war, Zelenskyy said in an interview with American far-right blogger Laura Loomer.
Ceasefire is preferable to a prolonged war
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine's top priority is saving lives, which makes a potential ceasefire a better scenario than a multi-year war for the sake of military victory.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine has not abandoned its goal of winning the war, but the cost of victory cannot be measured in endless human losses.
"If tomorrow we can stop the war, make a ceasefire, it's better than to fight for 10-20 years for the victory and to lose your people," the president said.
He added that a ceasefire is the best alternative to prolonged fighting if it can bring the war to an end.
WATCH:
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) July 24, 2026
Laura Loomer Interviews Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy @ZelenskyyUa at Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Enjoy! @APUkraine @POTUS @WhiteHouse @KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/6o53trow9X
Zelenskyy explains shift in Trump's stance
Zelenskyy also said US President Donald Trump has recently changed his attitude toward Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian president, Trump has come to realize that it is Russia, not Ukraine, that has no interest in ending the war, while Ukraine is seeking peace.
"The president exactly understood who really doesn't want to stop the war. He understood that we want to stop the war, he understood that we really want peace. Before, there were a lot of voices that Ukraine doesn't want to stop," Zelenskyy said.
He added that Kyiv has always supported a just peace while continuing to defend the country and its people.
Why Washington's tone has changed
Zelenskyy believes a key factor was the gradual development of trust in his dialogue with Trump.
"I think President Trump has begun to trust me, and this was important. I think this is the key when you ask how the tone changed... Step by step, I tried to explain. And I think he understood me very well," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president said he could not identify a specific moment when Trump's position began to change, but believes their personal conversations played an important role.
During the interview, Zelenskyy was asked to comment on Trump's remarks about potentially increasing sanctions on Russia and Iran following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham.
In response, Zelenskyy focused not on sanctions but on ending the war, stressing that Ukraine's top priority remains saving lives and achieving peace.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces, Mykhailo Drapatyi, to discuss further steps in response to Russia's attacks. According to Zelenskyy, a concrete set of measures has already been approved to strengthen Ukraine's defenses and improve its response to Russian aggression.
