Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed on Saturday his desire to conclude the conflict with Russia through diplomatic channels next year, as both countries anticipate Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
February 2025 would mark three years since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with Russian troops currently advancing against the under-resourced Ukrainian army, AFP news agency reported.
Trump’s possible return to the US presidency has created uncertainty about the trajectory of the conflict, given his past criticism of US military aid to Kiev.
Intelligence reports indicate that North Korea, a key ally of Russia, has deployed thousands of soldiers to support Moscow’s defense against Ukrainian operations in Russia’s Kursk region.
Zelenskyy’s statement followed his earlier comment on the possible outcome of the war 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 almost two years.
“For our part, we must do everything we can to ensure that this war ends next year. We must end this 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 stalled, while Trump’s re-election has introduced uncertainty about the future of the conflict given his consistent promises for a quick resolution.
“We must understand what the Russians want,” AFP quoted Zelenskyy as saying
Putin maintains his position that talks with Ukraine are dependent on Kiev’s surrender of the occupied territories.
The Kremlin confirmed this position during the conversation with Scholz on Friday. Zelenskyy has rejected Putin’s conditions.
North Korea’s involvement has increased the global implications of this European conflict. Western sources confirm that Pyongyang’s forces are supporting Russian forces in Kursk, where Ukraine has captured territory since early August.
This development follows enhanced military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which culminated in the ratification of the defense deal on Tuesday.
South Korea has criticized its neighbor’s involvement, with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya raising concerns during his visit to Ukraine on Saturday.
Iwaya’s diplomatic mission included Bucha, where Russian forces reportedly committed atrocities against civilians early in the conflict.
Ukraine expressed its dissatisfaction with Scholz’s communications with Putin. Berlin reported that Scholz condemned Russian aggression and urged the withdrawal of troops.
The G7 countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and declared that Russia remains the only obstacle to peace, while pledging continued sanctions.
Russian forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine, approaching key locations such as Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.
Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces suffered significant losses and slowed the advance in certain areas, noting Russia’s apparent disregard for military casualties.
