Zelenskyy: Ukraine closer to peace than ever

Ukraine is now closer to peace with Russia than at any time since the conflict began, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

Speaking to RBC-Ukraine, Zelenskyy said there were growing chances of an end to the fighting.

He added that Kyiv was intensifying its work on a possible peace agreement and that the Ukrainian delegation was awaiting further negotiations on a settlement to the conflict.

Zelenskyy’s remarks follow a series of quiet, high-level contacts between Ukrainian officials and a US delegation in Florida, aimed at exploring possible pathways towards de-escalation. The discussions are understood to have centred on a potential ceasefire framework, post-war security guarantees for Ukraine and the conditions under which formal negotiations with Russia could take place.

The Florida meetings were part of Washington's broader effort to reassess diplomatic options while maintaining support for Kyiv. Although no official statements were issued afterwards, sources close to the talks described them as exploratory rather than decisive.

Ukrainian representatives reportedly reiterated that any peace process must safeguard the country’s sovereignty and internationally recognised borders. The US side, while reaffirming its commitment to Ukraine’s security, is believed to have emphasised the need for a sustainable and verifiable settlement to prevent future escalation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev