Zelensky's advisor says peace agreement by the end of the year is "realistic"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Monday (1st) that he believes an agreement to end the war with Russia by the European winter is a "realistic" outcome.

Zelensky said Sunday (31), in an interview, that he wants to continue negotiations to guarantee peace with Russia, which have been paralyzed in recent months, before the start of the European winter, to take into account the improvement of Kiev's strategic position.

US-brokered talks to move toward a peace agreement were halted as Washington focused on the conflict in Iran.

Budanov said he expects a US delegation to visit Moscow and Kiev in the near future, without giving details.

"This is the president's instruction: try to end this war as quickly as possible...preferably before winter," he told reporters at a news conference.

"In my opinion, this is absolutely correct, timely and realistic," he added.

Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials said the advance of Russian forces has slowed on the ground, while Ukraine has stepped up a campaign of long-range strikes inside Russia, mainly targeting the oil sector.

A senior Ukrainian commander said last week that Ukraine has six months to seize the initiative on the battlefield and strengthen its position in peace talks.

Source: CNN