President Volodymyr Zelensky believes the next two months could be crucial for reviving diplomatic efforts to end the war. He said this in an interview with Axios.
According to the Ukrainian president, Russia intends to take advantage of another difficult winter to intensify pressure on Ukraine. At the same time, Zelensky believes Vladimir Putin does not want to damage his relationship with Donald Trump ahead of the US midterm elections.
“I have a feeling that Putin needs Trump. He does not want to upset him,” Zelensky said.
The president suggested that Trump could compel the Russian leader to return to substantive dialogue. The UN General Assembly in New York in late September could serve as one possible venue for renewed contacts. Another round of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia also remains possible, although no final decision has been made.
The previous day, Zelensky held talks in Kyiv with US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. They arrived in the Ukrainian capital following a meeting with Putin in Moscow that lasted more than three hours.
Zelensky said the US representatives told him that the Russian side was allegedly ready for negotiations. However, the president treated this signal with caution, noting that Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and the actions of its forces on the battlefield do not indicate that the Kremlin is prepared to compromise.
Nevertheless, after meeting with the US delegation, Zelensky concluded that Moscow was at least willing to discuss proposals that could help move the diplomatic process forward.
According to Axios, the talks covered possible reciprocal steps by Ukraine and Russia ahead of and throughout the winter. Zelensky said the areas discussed included energy facilities, grain supplies, and oil and gas exports.
The president explained that the purpose of such arrangements would be not only to restart negotiations but also to prevent a major winter escalation and bring the sides closer to peace.
At the same time, US officials acknowledge that it remains unclear whether a solution acceptable to both sides can be found. Previous attempts to agree on a ceasefire or a mutual suspension of attacks on energy infrastructure have failed to produce lasting results.
Separately, the United States is preparing a “winter package” for Ukraine that is expected to include air defense systems and support for the energy sector.
Zelensky believes the Kremlin sees the cold season as an additional means of pressuring Ukraine. Russia could intensify its attacks on energy and other critical infrastructure in an attempt to force Kyiv to make further concessions.
“Russia truly believes that this winter will help them break us,” the president said.
He stressed, however, that Ukraine has already made every possible compromise and that any diplomatic process must be backed by reliable security guarantees and economic support.
Zelensky also noted that attacks on Ukraine’s energy system do not go unanswered. According to him, when Russia targeted Ukraine’s power grid, Kyiv struck its capacity to export oil and gas.
The president also identified tougher US sanctions against Moscow as another important means of pressure. He emphasized that Putin needs money to continue the war, meaning restrictions on Russian revenues could force the Kremlin to reconsider its calculations.
Zelensky added that Ukraine must preserve its military strength throughout the negotiating process. He believes Ukrainian forces are currently in a better position on the battlefield than before, despite shortages of air defense systems and regular Russian missile and drone attacks.
