Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed many acute aspects of the still-running war in Ukraine. He has written about the prospects for future peace negotiations and what an escalation of tensions in the Middle East would mean. First, he underscored the complexities of the moment we find ourselves in. As day two of war continues, Russia and Ukraine are still openly negotiating peaceful exchanges regarding prisoners of war, including the mobilization of further military strategy.
At a press event in Washington during his recent visit, Zelenskyy stopped short of committing Ukraine to the upcoming peace talks. This confusion comes on the heels of a much ballyhooed phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Our conversation was a little over 50 minutes. It was particularly concerned with the geo-political implications of the Middle Eastern situation and the prospect of a new dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv coming after June 22.
Zelenskyy stated, “the exchanges will be completed and the parties will discuss the next step,” reflecting his cautious yet hopeful outlook on the dialogue process. Specifically, he noted that Ukraine has been making diligent and sustained efforts with large-scale prisoner exchange. This week, though, they pulled off a big exchange alongside a bigger deal to return 1,000 injured captives on both sides.
Zelenskyy expressed concerns about escalating Israeli-Iranian violence. His biggest worry is how it will impact military assistance to Ukraine. He called on the United States to “change tone” in the way it speaks with Russia. He argued that adopting a more aggressive posture would do more to help Ukraine succeed on the battlefield.
“We would like to see aid to Ukraine not decrease because of this,” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
By calling out Republicans, the Ukrainian leader identified an obstacle. The new war between Israel and Iran could further pull the world’s eyes and resources from Ukraine. He stressed that any increase in global oil prices resulting from Israeli strikes on Iran could inadvertently bolster Russia’s military capabilities, thereby complicating Ukraine’s defensive efforts.
Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian troops have successfully maintained defensive lines across over 1,000 kilometers of the frontline despite significant pressure from Russian forces. He condemned the latest Kremlin mendacity that Russian soldiers have invaded Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk area. He described those reports as baseless.
Regarding territorial control, Zelenskyy reported the retaking of Andriivka village in northeastern Sumy region. He mentioned “successful actions, strong results” around Kupiansk, a frontline area recently retaken by Ukrainian forces which is now undergoing vicious Russian military onslaught and counterattacks.
The reality of international relations is that they are ever-changing and dynamic. Zelenskyyy’s comments summarize the tightrope that Ukraine needs to walk as the world grows more divided. His comments show a deep understanding of how outside wars can affect the availability of military resources for domestic needs and overall support on the international stage.
Zelenskyy’s comments come at a key moment where continued international engagement is necessary for Ukraine’s long-term peace and security. At the same time, the Ukrainian government has been under increasing external and internal pressures. They are resolute in ensuring that their asks for assistance are heard above the din of other geopolitical crises.