Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on Tuesday (August 27th) that the war with Russia will ultimately be ended through dialogue, but Ukraine must take the initiative. He plans to present his proposal to US President Biden and his two potential successors.
As part of this plan, Ukrainian forces began an offensive into the Kursk region of Russia three weeks ago. However, the plan also involves other economic and diplomatic measures.
Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sparking the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv that the key focus of this plan is to compel Russia to end the war.
“The core purpose of this plan is to push Russia to stop the conflict,” he said. “I hope this can be achieved – it is just for Ukraine.”
He did not provide further details on the next steps but mentioned that he will discuss the plan with Vice President Kamala Harris and possibly with Donald Trump, the two nominees for the US presidential elections.
Zelensky expressed his intention to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September to prepare for a meeting with Biden.
According to Reuters, Zelensky’s remarks indicate the possibility of an upcoming international peace summit, with Ukraine expressing its desire for Russian representation.
In June of this year, the first Ukraine Peace Summit held in Switzerland excluded Russia, attracting numerous delegations but with the absence of a Chinese delegation.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated on August 19th that negotiations are no longer possible following Ukraine’s major incursion into the Kursk region on August 6th.
Indian Prime Minister Modi visited Kyiv last week and spoke with Russian President Putin on Tuesday, expressing his support for a prompt peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian conflict.
Zelensky firmly stated that Ukraine cannot accept Russia dictating terms in war and peace negotiations.
Putin insisted that any settlement must be based on Ukraine acknowledging the current realities, which would involve Russia retaining control over four Ukrainian territories and the large land area of Crimea. However, Ukraine now asserts that it has gained control over more than 1,200 square kilometers (approximately 463 square miles) in the Kursk region of Russia.
During the press conference following the offensive in the Kursk region, Zelensky noted a decrease in the number of governments urging Ukraine to make concessions to Russia and surrender significant land to end the war.
He highlighted that Russian forces continue to advance in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, while Ukraine has captured 100 residential areas in the Kursk region.
On Monday (August 26th), Russia launched large-scale airstrikes on Ukraine, firing over 200 missiles and drones at 15 out of 24 Ukrainian regions, targeting civilian, energy, and fuel facilities, including the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant dam, resulting in seven deaths and at least 47 injuries. In the morning attack, Russia fired 127 missiles and 109 drones, but Ukraine reports that 102 missiles and 99 drones were intercepted.
During the “2024 Independence Forum” held in Kyiv on Tuesday, Zelensky mentioned that the F-16 fighter jets achieved “very good results,” stating, “We have used the F-16 to destroy some missiles and drones,” without elaborating. He urged for more Western combat aircraft for Ukraine.
In early August, Ukraine received the first batch of F-16 fighter jets, with promises from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium to provide at least 79 F-16s to Ukraine.
In May of this year, Zelensky informed AFP that Ukraine would need at least 120 F-16 fighter jets to match Russia on an equal footing.