War with Russia closer to end than we think - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently in the United States, where he is set to present a significant 'peace plan' to President Joe Biden. Zelensky has expressed optimism regarding the potential end of the war with Russia, stating, 'I think that we are closer to peace than we think. We just have to be very strong, very strong. ' This statement reflects his belief that Ukraine must maintain a strong position to effectively negotiate peace and defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression. During his discussions with President Biden, Zelensky aims to emphasize the necessity for Ukraine's allies to bolster the Ukrainian military, which he believes is crucial for achieving a favorable outcome in the conflict. Zelensky clarified that his plan is not about direct negotiations with Russia but rather serves as 'a bridge to a diplomatic way out, to stop the war. ' He believes that Ukraine can only compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to consider ending the conflict if Ukraine is perceived as being in a strong position. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has expressed caution regarding the media reports surrounding Ukraine's peace plan, asserting that the conflict will only conclude when Russia's objectives are met. Zelensky has consistently urged Western nations to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles, which could potentially strike deep into Russian territory. He is expected to reiterate this request during his visit to the US. President Biden has indicated that he has not yet made a decision regarding this matter, and Zelensky emphasized the importance of US leadership in this decision-making process, stating, 'Everybody's looking up to [Biden], and we need this to defend ourselves. ' In addition to his meeting with President Biden, Zelensky is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. He will also meet with prominent US presidential candidates, including Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The president of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, shared his perspective with the New York Times, suggesting that Ukraine must adopt a realistic approach regarding its chances of reclaiming territories in the eastern part of the country that have been occupied by Russia over the past 31 months. Pavel noted that it is likely that some Ukrainian territories will remain under Russian control for an extended period. He stated that a decisive defeat for either Ukraine or Russia is unlikely, suggesting that the resolution of the conflict will likely fall somewhere in between. Zelensky's visit to the US comes at a time when Ukraine continues to face relentless attacks from Russia. Recently, a high-rise apartment building in Kharkiv, a city in northeastern Ukraine, was struck during a daytime attack, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least three individuals and injuring 15 others. Additionally, on Monday night, an attack on the eastern town of Poltava caused damage to critical infrastructure, while in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, one person lost their life, and six others were wounded due to massive air strikes. Russian forces have made significant advances in the eastern region and are closing in on Vuhledar, a city located on the southern front line of Donbas, which has been a target since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Ukrainian military expert and retired colonel Kostyantyn Mashovets has cautioned his fellow citizens to be psychologically prepared for the potential loss of Selydove, Toretsk, and Vuhledar in the eastern Donbas region. He expressed his hope that he would be proven wrong but acknowledged that the information he has suggests that this scenario is very likely in the near future. Overall, Zelensky's trip to the United States is a crucial moment for Ukraine as it seeks support and a pathway to end the ongoing conflict with Russia.