Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready to freeze the conflict along the current front line and pursue diplomatic negotiations to end the war with Russia.
Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would expect a ceasefire as the minimum from Russia, after which Kiev would seek security guarantees from the US and European countries.
“Yes. Right now we have to freeze, and I think this is a real way to end this war,” he said.
He said Kiev would then approach the US president and European leaders to seek security guarantees, stressing that peace and security were the most important priorities.
Asked whether Ukraine would surrender the Donbas region in exchange for an end to the war, Zelenskyy said Ukrainians were tired of the fighting but could not simply abandon their land.
He rejected suggestions that Russia was winning on the battlefield, saying Moscow was trying to pressure Kiev into withdrawing from its territory.
“In 2026, they didn't have success. They are not winning on the battlefield,” he said.
He reiterated that negotiations should begin from the current positions on the battlefield, with a peace plan to be developed through diplomacy.
Steps towards a ceasefire
Zelenskyy also described his meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday as “productive”.
He thanked Norway’s prime minister for hosting the talks, which also involved European leaders and US officials, including Jared Kushner, who joined remotely.
The discussions focused on possible steps towards peace, Zelenskyy said, expressing hope that Witkoff’s meeting in Russia would provide further feedback.
He said initial steps towards de-escalation could include ceasefires covering food security, maritime activity and energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy added that he had immediately backed US President Donald Trump’s proposal for an energy ceasefire.
“I hope that today, in some hours, we will have some results,” he said.
