End of Russia-Ukraine war depends largely on Moscow, Zelenskyy says
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Russia's war against Ukraine must end as soon as possible. But much depends on the will of the aggressor country, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Politico.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine will do everything possible to end this war as soon as possible.
"We will do everything from our side to finish this war as quickly as possible. Yeah, but not everything depends on us. It's a pity, and also it's a pity. But we have to recognize that more things depend on the Russian will. They are aggressors, and they are big, and they don't know how to propose and show the will of ending the war as quickly as possible," the president said.
According to him, it is dangerous to end the war by withdrawing Ukrainian troops from the territory occupied by Russia.
"I think it's a big risk and maybe a historical mistake, even because we will give them very, very strong fortifications. We will give them very strong defending lines, and we will give them moral," Zelenskyy said.
He added that Ukrainians are tired, but their morale remains high.
"But if our soldiers withdraw by our will, they will withdraw from our territory and will lose their friends and will lose their homes because a lot of them are from these territories and will lose their relatives and in memory. I think that the morale will immediately decrease among all the people, all the soldiers. Even if you get peace in return. Yes. Because you don't know what you will get. It's just words. Words from Putin so that he will give us peace," the president emphasized.
Deadlines for ending the war
Earlier, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, during a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the end of February, said he wants to achieve the end of the war in Ukraine within one month.
At the same time, White House insists on reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine by the 250th anniversary of United States independence, which will be celebrated on July 4.
Former special envoy of the President of the United States, Keith Kellogg, said that the war in Ukraine could end by autumn 2026, since when Ukraine gets through winter and spring begins, the advantage will be on its side.
Earlier media also reported that participants of negotiations between the United States and Ukraine discussed a possible peace agreement with Russia in March 2026.
In addition, Ukraine wants to accelerate the conclusion of a peace agreement with Russia using the mediation of the United States and the personal role of Trump.
Zelenskyy himself believes there is a window of opportunity to end Russia's war against Ukraine before the midterm elections in the United States in November this year. And now it is open.
