Zelensky sees a chance for progress in peace talks by the end of the year

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that progress in the negotiation process by the end of 2026 is achievable, but remains skeptical. He discussed the prospects for an agreement at a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.

The president explained that the participants in the negotiations are seeking to achieve certain results amid political changes expected in Europe and the United States next year.

“There was nothing negative during the conversation (the negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi). I don’t know all the details. I think there was still a bit of Russian history there, but we no longer pay attention to that. Nevertheless, it is important that the Americans went to Putin with concrete proposals,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The president also expressed hope that the American representatives would return, but cautioned against excessive optimism.

“Allow me to be a skeptic. But there is still hope,” Zelenskyy added.

In his view, further progress will depend to a large extent on the format of tomorrow’s meeting between the American delegation and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I don’t know what format they will choose. I believe it is also very important for the Americans, for this negotiating team, to achieve a result this year. It seems to me that they really want this. Of course, we will do everything we can,” Zelenskyy stressed.

We previously reported:

• “Russia won’t stop”: 65% of Korabelov.info readers don’t believe in a ceasefire
• Ukraine rejected a US proposal to change the borders of Donbas, which would have allowed Russia to claim it had captured the region in full
• Russia wants to rewrite Europe’s security rules at talks in Abu Dhabi — ISW
• Arakhamia does not expect a breakthrough from the first round of talks with the US and Russia
• Europe to join talks on ending the war in Ukraine