President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has expressed the urgent need for the war with Russia to end through diplomatic means next year, especially in light of Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election win and Russia’s continued battlefield gains. However, Zelenskyy believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in agreeing to a peace deal and is merely using negotiations as a guise to continue fighting. Despite this, Zelenskyy remains determined to do everything possible to end the war in 2023, emphasizing the need for diplomacy to prevail.
While Moscow’s ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva has indicated that Russia is open to negotiations on ending the war if initiated by Trump, it has been made clear that any peace agreement would require Ukraine to cede four regions that are currently partially occupied by Russian forces. Zelenskyy has consistently maintained that peace cannot be achieved until all Russian forces are driven out of the country and all captured territory, including Crimea, is returned to Ukraine. The acknowledgment of Ukraine’s internationally recognized 1991 borders has not been included in Zelenskyy’s “victory plan” for ending the war, but he remains committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution.
Zelenskyy believes that the war may end more quickly under Trump’s leadership, as the former U.S. president had previously indicated his intention to swiftly resolve the conflict. However, due to U.S. laws preventing Zelenskyy from meeting with Trump before his inauguration, the Ukrainian president has expressed his willingness to engage in direct discussions with Trump once he assumes office. Despite the challenging situation in eastern Ukraine and the advances made by Russian forces, Zelenskyy remains optimistic about the possibility of halting the progression of the Russian army with the arrival of new reserves equipped with essential gear that had previously been delayed.
The escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine has resulted in Russia making significant territorial gains at a rapid pace, reminiscent of the war’s initial days in 2022. The ongoing advances by Moscow’s forces towards key strategic locations like Kurakhove, located near a thermal power plant, and Pokrovsk, a vital logistics hub for Ukraine, underscore the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict. Zelenskyy has acknowledged the difficulties facing Ukraine, including delays in equipping brigades due to bureaucratic hurdles and the need for more effective coordination with allies. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has prioritized boosting its weapons production capabilities to reduce reliance on external support and enhance its defense capabilities.
In response to the escalating conflict, Ukraine is actively working on developing new missile systems to bolster its defenses and deter further aggression by Russia. Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of securing the necessary resources and equipment to effectively confront the Russian army and protect Ukraine’s sovereignty. As the situation in eastern Ukraine intensifies and Russian forces continue their advance, Zelenskyy remains steadfast in his commitment to ending the war through diplomatic means and restoring peace in the region. The ongoing developments in the conflict underscore the critical need for international cooperation and support to help Ukraine achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict with Russia.
