Zelenskiy Aims to End Ukraine-Russia War Next Year Through Diplomacy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict with Russia by next year. In a recent radio interview, he acknowledged that the situation in eastern Ukraine remains challenging, with Russia making advances.

Zelenskiy highlighted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown little interest in pursuing a peace agreement. He also noted that U.S. laws prevent him from meeting with President-elect Donald Trump before the official inauguration next January. Zelenskiy expressed a desire to speak directly with Trump rather than through any intermediaries. “As the President of Ukraine, I will only engage in serious talks with the President of the United States of America, with all due respect to any entourage or advisors,” he said. “From our side, we must make every effort to ensure that this war ends next year, and through diplomatic means.”

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to use his final discussions with China’s President Xi Jinping to encourage a reduction in North Korean support for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. These talks will occur during the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru, shortly before Biden’s term concludes.

Biden considers Xi a significant global counterpart and will likely stress the need for China to curb North Korea’s actions, which have raised concerns of further escalation. On Friday, Biden, along with South Korean President Yoon Seok Yul and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, condemned North Korea’s decision to send troops to assist Russia in the Kursk border region. Biden described this cooperation as “dangerous and destabilizing.”

The White House has expressed frustration with China’s limited efforts to influence North Korea, which relies heavily on trade with Beijing, urging greater intervention to address the situation.

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