Zelensky sees ‘opportunity’ to end war in Ukraine by 2025

KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that the current state of play on the battlefield had created an opportunity for steps to end Russia’s more than 2-1/2-year-old invasion no later than next year.

Addressing the third Ukraine-South East Europe summit in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, the Ukrainian president said Kyiv was counting on the support of its important allies including the United States.

“In October, November and December, we have a real chance to move the situation towards peace and long-term stability,” he said. “The situation on the battlefield creates an opportunity to make this choice - a choice in favour of decisive action to end the war no later than 2025.”

Zelensky did not spell out how and why he perceived such an opportunity. Russian forces now hold just under 20 percent of Ukraine, in its east and south.

Moscow’s troops continue to steadily gain ground in Ukraine’s east while Kyiv’s troops control a small chunk of Russian territory across the border, two months after launching an incursion into the Kursk region.

Kyiv has been intensively lobbying allies to allow Western-weapons strikes on military targets deeper inside Russia.

Zelensky’s comments come amid great uncertainty for Kyiv ahead of the Nov. 5 US election that could return Donald Trump to the White House. Trump has said he would seek a quick end to the war, which Kyiv’s supporters fear could entail crushing concessions being foisted on Ukraine.