Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an interview broadcast on Sunday, said he wanted to press on with talks on securing peace with Russia before the onset of winter to take account of Kyiv’s improved strategic position.
Talks brokered by the United States toward a peace accord have stalled as Washington has focused on the conflict in Iran.
Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials have said the advance of Russian forces has slowed while Ukraine has intensified strikes inside Russia, targeting mainly its oil industry.
"It began in December 2025, Russia began to lose the initiative on the battlefield," Zelenskiy told CBS Television’s 'Face the Nation'.
"So now we have this period of time before the winter... before the winter we need to find a way, diplomatic way, to sit and to speak," Zelenskiy said, adding that it depends on pressure on Putin.
He called for tougher sanctions on Russia and mentioned possible negotiations with European help or bilaterally.
A senior Ukrainian commander said Ukraine has a six-month window to seize the initiative and strengthen its hand for talks.
Zelenskiy also sought US help in supplying air defense missiles and joint drone technology.
