Zelensky Optimistic About Ending Ukraine War This Year

Speaking at a summit in Kyiv, President Zelensky emphasized the need for security guarantees and potential EU and NATO membership to ensure lasting peace, marking the third anniversary of Russia's invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated, "we hope that we can finish this war this year," during a recent summit in Kyiv, commemorating the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite this optimism, he underscored that Ukraine requires robust security guarantees to prevent Russia from reasserting itself in the future, suggesting that membership in the EU and NATO would significantly contribute to this aim. Russia has historically opposed Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO.

At the summit, which included European leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Zelensky acknowledged the hardships faced by the nation over the past three years. When questioned about the prospects for peace, he indicated that a "complete" exchange of prisoners of war could represent a starting point for negotiations with Russia. Since the conflict began, approximately 60 prisoner swaps have taken place between the two countries, but Ukraine currently does not disclose the number of its citizens held by Russia, believed to be over 8,000.

Despite facing pressure, Zelensky has previously voiced his willingness to resign the presidency if it helps facilitate NATO membership for Ukraine, a notion that Russia categorically rejects. The summit saw high-profile attendees such as Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, with discussions emphasizing the broader implications of the conflict for Europe.

Trudeau remarked that "might no longer means right in this world," in reference to the current geopolitical climate, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed her openness to deploying peacekeeping troops in Ukraine once hostilities cease, highlighting the need for planning and clarity in any future steps.

Zelensky's comments come in the wake of a controversial statement from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who labeled him a "dictator" and criticized his leadership, igniting questions about the United States’ ongoing support for Ukraine. The summit took place just before discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Trump, where Ukraine's situation was anticipated to dominate the agenda.

In the past three years, the conflict has resulted in significant loss of life among both soldiers and civilians, alongside large-scale destruction across Ukraine, raising urgent calls for a resolution.