Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine is ready to freeze the fighting along the current front line and begin diplomatic negotiations to end the war with Russia.
In an interview with US broadcaster Fox News on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said that, following a ceasefire, Kyiv would seek security guarantees from the United States and European countries.
“Yes. For now, we need to freeze the conflict, and I think this is a realistic way to end this war,” he said, emphasizing that a ceasefire is the minimum Ukraine expects from Russia.
Zelenskyy stressed that negotiations should begin from the current positions of forces on the battlefield, while a peace agreement must be reached through diplomacy.
Asked whether Ukraine would agree to surrender the Donbas region in exchange for ending the war, Zelenskyy rejected claims that Russia was winning on the battlefield, arguing that Moscow was trying to force Kyiv to withdraw from its own territory.
“In 2026, they have not succeeded. They are not winning on the battlefield,” he said.
He acknowledged that the Ukrainian people were exhausted by the war but stressed that this did not mean the country could give up its territories.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy described his meeting in Oslo, Norway, a day earlier with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, as productive.
European leaders and US officials also participated in the discussions, including Jared Kushner, who joined remotely. Zelenskyy thanked the Norwegian prime minister for hosting the meeting, saying the discussions focused on possible steps toward peace.
He also expressed hope that Witkoff’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin would produce concrete results.
According to Zelenskyy, initial de-escalation measures could include ceasefires covering food security, maritime activities and energy infrastructure.
He added that he had immediately supported President Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in the energy sector.
