Zelensky believes that Ukraine and Russia are at the “beginning of the end” of the war

On the eve of a new round of talks in Geneva, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia and Ukraine are at the “beginning of the end” of the war.

Zelensky said this in an interview with the Financial Times.

At the same time, in the interview he again refused to withdraw troops from the Donbas. The newspaper adds that this is what the United States is demanding.

“The U.S. is convinced that Putin will end the war if Zelensky hands over the territory of eastern Donbas, which he says is a short-sighted idea,” the article says.

“Honestly, I don’t believe that this is all Russia is demanding—that we withdraw our troops from the Donbas and then the war will end,” he said.

Zelensky also urged the European Union to “stop stalling and set a date for Ukraine’s accession,” saying it “must happen” as early as 2027.

Earlier, in an interview with BBC News, Zelensky said he is “categorically against” withdrawing Ukrainian troops from the Donbas even if it would bring a ceasefire. According to the president, this would “split society.”

Recently, Zelensky acknowledged that the U.S., together with Russia, is pressuring Kyiv to withdraw troops from the Donbas.