Zelensky: Ukraine can try to end hot stage of war before year-end

President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that, provided international unity and following the track of the Peace Summit, it is possible to try to end the hot stage of the Russo-Ukrainian war by the end of this year.

The Ukrainian leader said this in an interview with the BBC, Ukrinform reports.

"I believe that if we stand united and follow, for example, the format of the Peace Summit, we can end the hot stage of the war. We can try to do it by the end of this year," Zelensky said.

He spoke about his intentions to draw up a plan to end the hot stage of the war, noting that, if the ultimate goal of the plan is achieved, it will be “really right and really powerful”. However, according to the president, success in this matter also depends on unity with foreign partners. He noted that after that, success will depend on pressure from partners on Russia – so that Moscow "agrees to sit down and think about ending the war."

"This does not mean that all (Ukrainian - ed.) territories must be recaptured by force. I believe that the power of diplomacy can help," Zelensky said, adding that weakening Russia on the battlefield would put Ukraine in a stronger position at the negotiating table.

According to the Ukrainian president, by exerting pressure on Russia, it would be possible to agree on a settlement through diplomacy.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Zelensky said that there is not a single person in the world who can force Ukraine to concede its territories to Russia in order to end the war as soon as possible.