The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, instructed to do everything possible to end the war by the beginning of winter 2026. This was reported by the head of the President’s Office, Kyrylo Budanov, during the “Security Architecture” Forum.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukraine aims to end hostilities by winter
Kyrylo Budanov emphasized that the task set by the president is timely and strategically important for the country. He stressed that the state leadership and relevant structures are working to end the war as soon as possible, targeting the winter period as the deadline.
“This instruction from the president is to try to end this war as quickly as possible… Preferably by winter. As the head of the President’s Office, I will do everything to achieve the goal set by the President of Ukraine. It is absolutely correct, timely, and well thought out.”
Budanov noted that Ukraine has sufficient resources and capabilities to accomplish this task, but did not rule out that the Russian Federation might refuse any agreements regarding the cessation of hostilities. According to the official, there are already clear signs that “the groundwork for a ceasefire already exists.”
Prospects for diplomacy and military initiative
In a recent interview with the American television channel CBS News, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that it is necessary to find an opportunity for negotiations with the Russian Federation before the onset of winter. At the same time, he noted that progress in this direction largely depends on the pressure of the international community on Moscow.
Last week, Member of Parliament Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk reported discussions with the president about the prospects for ending the hot phase of the war. According to her, the president is considering the possibility of ending active hostilities by November, provided that security guarantees are given to Ukraine.
Analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) emphasized that Ukrainian forces are regaining tactical initiative in various areas of the front. Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov also noted during a conversation with journalists that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have significantly slowed down the advance of Russian troops, gradually regaining the initiative. Among the factors contributing to this, he highlighted the effective work of the Ukrainian military, the disconnection of Starlink for the aggressor, and the increase in the number of medium-range drone strikes.