Zelensky Expresses Hope to Conclude Ukraine War by Year-End

In a recent summit, Zelensky outlined his vision for peace in Ukraine, calling for complete prisoner exchanges and heightened cooperation with Western allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism for concluding the ongoing conflict with Russia by the end of this year, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. During a press conference, he underscored the pressing need for security guarantees to avert potential future aggression from Moscow, linking Ukraine's aspirations for membership in the European Union and NATO to long-term stability.

Zelensky addressed a gathering of European leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who visited Kyiv to reaffirm their support. "We hope that we can finish the war this year," he stated, acknowledging the substantial challenges faced by Ukraine throughout the conflict. He insisted that joining the EU and NATO would significantly bolster Ukraine's security framework in the coming years.

The Ukrainian leader has previously indicated a willingness to resign from his presidential role if it ensures NATO membership for Ukraine, a proposal Russia categorically rejects as part of any peace framework. Although facing questions regarding his relations with former U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelensky maintained a focus on the necessity of continuing support from the United States and other allies.

In light of Trump labeling Zelensky as "a dictator" and critiquing his leadership, the Ukrainian president's earlier comments about Trump were blunt—accusing him of "living in a disinformation space" controlled by Moscow. Meanwhile, Trump has advocated for quick peace negotiations, seeking potential concessions from Ukraine.

Central to Zelensky's peace proposals is the idea of a complete exchange of prisoners of war, which he described as "the fair and just option" to begin resolving hostilities. Since the conflict's onset, Ukraine and Russia have conducted 60 prisoner exchanges, but thousands of Ukrainians remain imprisoned in Russia, with estimates exceeding 8,000 detainees.

During the summit, prominent figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa joined the discussions. Notably, no representative from the U.S. attended the event, although the agenda was heavily centered on the ongoing war in Ukraine, preceding a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Trump in Washington, D.C.

Trudeau remarked on the evolving global power dynamics, suggesting that "might no longer means right," in a potential reference to dialogue concerning negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed openness towards deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine post-conflict, contingent on further deliberations.

Von der Leyen, reflecting on the consequences of the war, stated, "In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It's Europe's destiny." She asserted that if Ukraine continues its reforms, EU membership could be attainable by 2030. The anniversary of the invasion marks a solemn moment, reflecting on the tens of thousands of lives lost and the extensive devastation across Ukraine since the conflict reignited three years prior.