▲ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has predicted that Russian President Vladimir Putin could hand U.S. President Donald Trump a diplomatic achievement by easing tensions in the war in Ukraine before the U.S. midterm elections in November.
According to U.S. online media outlet Axios on the 7th local time, when asked in an interview whether he believes Putin might want to present Trump with a diplomatic success ahead of the U.S. midterms, Zelenskyy answered, "Yes."
This is seen as a hopeful outlook that Putin might take steps to ease tensions in the war in Ukraine to assist President Trump, who is reportedly facing a disadvantageous position due to the prolonged war involving Iran ahead of the midterm elections.
Zelenskyy stated that the United States is currently exploring measures to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia during the winter season while also promoting the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement.
He analyzed that although Putin intends to use the harsh winter to weaken Ukraine, he would not want to provoke President Trump ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
"Putin needs Trump and does not want to upset him," Zelenskyy said, suggesting that even if Putin does not want a de-escalation, he might be compelled to take such measures due to pressure from the Trump administration.
Zelenskyy raised the necessity of focusing on the resumption of negotiations in September and October, while also expressing his intention to hold talks with the United States at the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month.
The day before, Zelenskyy met with President Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
They headed to Kyiv after visiting Russia and meeting with President Putin.
Witkoff stated, "We have brought back new ideas that made progress in Moscow."
Russia has historically shown a pattern of intensively bombing Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
The intent is to pressure Ukraine into making concessions by intensifying public suffering during the winter season when heating demand is high.
Amid a lack of breakthroughs in finding a solution to the war involving Iran, securing an agreement that lowers the intensity of combat between Russia and Ukraine—including limits on winter bombings—could work to the advantage of President Trump, who is in urgent need of a diplomatic win.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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