Zelensky said Ukraine does not want to fight until 2026

Ukraine "does not want to fight" until June 2026, "it's a very long time," Zelensky said . Putin has repeatedly spoken of his readiness for an "immediate" settlement on Moscow's terms Volodymyr Zelensky and Friedrich Merz

The Russian army will allegedly "feel the sanctions" by June 2026, but this is "a very long time" for Ukraine, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

“We don’t want to fight for so long, it’s very difficult,” he said ( quoted by RBC-Ukraine).

Speaking to reporters the day before, he expressed hope that the conflict would end in June 2026, citing intelligence data and analysis from “many countries” about how RUSSIA is feeling the effects of sanctions.

In addition to diplomacy, Zelensky believes that the 18th package of EU sanctions and a “strong package of sanctions from the United States” against Russia could shorten the time frame for ending the conflict.

Moscow criticizes sanctions and any Western aid to Kiev. Western sanctions will not interfere with Russia- US negotiations on settling the conflict in Ukraine , said Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov , since they are “as quickly introduced as they are quickly lifted if desired.” He also previously pointed out that the Russian economy has already adapted to the sanctions regime, and the prospect of maintaining restrictions does not frighten Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly spoken about his readiness for an "immediate" settlement of the conflict, but on his terms. Among them, he listed the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the DPR, LPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, recognition of these regions and Crimea as part of Russia, neutral status for Ukraine and the lifting of sanctions. Zelensky called this proposal an ultimatum.

The DPR, LPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions became part of Russia in the fall of 2022 following the results of referendums held there. Ukraine and Western countries did not recognize the results and consider what happened an annexation. In March 2025, Putin declared that 99% of the LPR and more than 70% of the territories of the DPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions were under Russia's control.

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