Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed on Saturday his desire to conclude the conflict with Russia through diplomatic channels next year, as both nations anticipate Donald Trump‘s return to the White House.
February 2025 would signify three years since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with Russian forces currently advancing against Ukraine’s under-resourced military, AFP News agency reported.
Trump’s potential return to the US presidency has created uncertainty about the conflict’s trajectory, given his previous criticism of US military assistance to Kyiv.
Intelligence reports indicate that North Korea, a significant Russian ally, has deployed thousands of soldiers to support Moscow’s defence against Ukrainian operations in Russia’s Kursk region.
Zelenskyy’s statement followed his earlier comment about the war’s potential conclusion under Trump’s presidency. It also came after Putin‘s conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the first such dialogue with a major Western leader in nearly two years.
“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,” Zelenskyy said in an interview with Ukrainian radio. “And this, I think, is very important.”
Substantial negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remain absent, while Trump’s re-election has introduced uncertainty about the conflict’s future, given his consistent promises for a swift resolution.
“We have to understand what the Russians want,” AFP quoted Zelenskyy s.aying
Putin maintains his position that talks with Ukraine are contingent upon Kyiv surrendering occupied territories.
The Kremlin confirmed this stance during Friday’s conversation with Scholz. Zelenskyy has dismissed Putin’s terms.
North Korea’s involvement has expanded this European conflict’s global implications. Western sources confirm Pyongyang’s troops are supporting Russian forces in Kursk, where Ukraine has gained territory since early August.
This development follows strengthened military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, culminating in Tuesday’s defence agreement ratification.
South Korea has criticised its neighbour’s involvement, with Japan’s foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya expressing concern during his Ukraine visit on Saturday.
Iwaya’s diplomatic mission included Bucha, where Russian forces allegedly committed atrocities against civilians early in the conflict.
Ukraine expressed displeasure over Scholz’s communication with Putin. Berlin reported that Scholz condemned Russia’s aggression and urged troop withdrawal.
The G7 nations reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, stating Russia remains the sole impediment to peace, while pledging continued sanctions.
Russian forces continue advancing in eastern Ukraine, approaching key locations like Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.
Zelenskyy reported Russian forces experiencing significant casualties and slowed advancement in certain areas, noting Russia’s apparent disregard for military casualties.