Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday that the ongoing war with Russia would eventually end through dialogue. However, he emphasised that Kyiv must be in a strong position before negotiations can take place. Zelenskyy plans to present his strategy to US President Joe Biden and the two leading contenders for the US presidency.
A Comprehensive Plan For Ending The War
During a press conference, Zelenskyy outlined that Ukraine’s recent three-week-old incursion into Russia’s Kursk region is a crucial part of his broader plan. This strategy not only includes military actions but also encompasses economic and diplomatic initiatives. He stressed that the primary objective is to compel Russia to end the war on terms that are fair to Ukraine.
While Zelenskyy did not reveal specific details of his next steps, he mentioned that discussions on this plan would also involve Vice President Kamala Harris and potentially former President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy expressed his intention to visit the United States in September to attend the UN General Assembly in New York and meet with President Biden.
Zelenskyy’s remarks suggest that he views a follow-up international summit on peace as the most viable platform for negotiations. The first summit, held in Switzerland in June, aimed to advance Kyiv’s vision of peace but notably excluded Russia. Despite Kyiv’s efforts to engage the global south, major nations like China did not participate.
No Compromises With Putin
Zelenskyy has consistently rejected the idea of allowing Russia to dictate the terms of any peace settlement. Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted that any agreement must start with Ukraine accepting the “realities on the ground,” which would leave Russia in control of significant portions of four Ukrainian regions and Crimea.
In contrast, Zelenskyy argued that dialogue with Putin is currently meaningless, as Putin has shown no interest in ending the war through diplomatic means. He pointed to Ukraine’s ongoing offensive in the Kursk region, where Kyiv claims control of more than 1,200 square kilometres, as evidence of Ukraine’s determination not to compromise.
Strengthening Ukraine’s Defence
On the domestic front, Zelenskyy highlighted progress in Ukraine’s weapons production. He announced that Ukraine had successfully conducted its first test of a domestically-produced ballistic missile, signalling a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
