Zelenskiy Pushes for Strengthened Position in Dialogue with Russia, Plans to Present Peace Strategy to Biden and U.S. Presidential Nominees

Kyiv, Ukraine – On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that the ongoing conflict with Russia would eventually conclude through dialogue. However, he emphasized that Ukraine must negotiate from a position of strength. Zelenskiy disclosed plans to present his comprehensive peace strategy to U.S. President Joe Biden and the two leading contenders for the U.S. presidency, highlighting the crucial role of the U.S. in mediating the conflict.

Kyiv’s Military Strategy and Diplomatic Efforts

During a press conference, Zelenskiy detailed Kyiv’s recent military operations, including the ongoing three-week incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, as integral to his broader plan. He indicated that this strategy also includes significant economic and diplomatic measures aimed at forcing Russia to end the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“The main objective of this plan is to compel Russia to cease its aggression. I am committed to ensuring that any resolution is fair to Ukraine,” Zelenskiy stated, without elaborating on the specifics of the next steps. He mentioned plans to discuss the strategy with President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, underscoring the importance of these discussions in shaping the U.S.’s approach to the conflict.

Planned Visit to the United States

Zelenskiy expressed his intention to visit the United States in September to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York, where he plans to meet with Biden. His comments suggest that he views a forthcoming international peace summit as the primary negotiation platform. This summit, envisioned as a continuation of the peace talks initiated in Switzerland in June, aims to advance Ukraine’s vision for peace. However, it notably excluded Russia from participation.

The June summit attracted a significant number of international delegations. However, China, a key global player, was absent due to its neutral stance on the conflict—a point of contention for Kyiv, which has been working to garner support from nations in the Global South.

International Reactions and Modi’s Diplomacy

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the possibility of negotiations following Ukraine’s major cross-border operation into the Kursk region earlier in August. Despite this, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Kyiv last week, conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that he supported a prompt and peaceful resolution to the conflict.

No Compromises with Putin

Zelenskiy was unequivocal in rejecting any settlement, allowing Russia to dictate terms to Ukraine. He condemned Putin’s insistence that any deal should reflect the “realities on the ground,” which would entail Russia retaining control over large portions of four Ukrainian regions and Crimea. Ukraine, however, claims to have secured over 1,200 square kilometers (463 square miles) of the Kursk region.

“There can be no compromises with Putin. Dialogue at this point is hollow and pointless because he shows no willingness to end the war diplomatically,” Zelenskiy asserted. He argued that Ukraine’s offensive into the Kursk region had diminished the number of international calls for Kyiv to make concessions to Russia.

Ukraine’s Progress on the Battlefield

On the battlefield, Zelenskiy criticized Putin, accusing him of prioritizing the seizure of Ukrainian territory over the defense of Russian lands. He highlighted Ukraine’s claims of capturing 100 settlements in the Kursk region, even as Russian forces continue to advance incrementally in the eastern Donetsk region.

Zelenskiy also noted progress in Ukraine’s domestic weapons production, announcing the successful test of a domestically produced ballistic missile, underscoring Kyiv’s efforts to bolster its military capabilities amid the ongoing conflict.