Ukrainian President Optimistic War With Russia Will End Soon

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees a good chance to end the war with Russia after Ukraine accepted the US proposal for a temporary 30-day ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Moscow said it would only agree if certain conditions were met.

"Right now, we have a good chance to end this war quickly and secure peace. We have a strong security understanding with our European partners," Zelenskyy said in an X post reported by Reuters, Saturday, March 15.

"We are now almost at the first step to ending any war - silence," he said, referring to a ceasefire.

Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy urged the US and other allies to put pressure on Moscow, reiterating his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin would delay reaching a ceasefire for as long as possible.

"If there is a strong response from the United States, they will not let them play around and if there are steps that Russia is not afraid of, they will delay the process," Zelenskyy said.

He said the ceasefire along the more than 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line could be controlled with U.S. help via satellite and intelligence.

Washington resumed intelligence sharing and military aid after U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia this week and Ukraine accepted the ceasefire.

Zelenskyy also said officials at the meeting discussed territorial issues, but that tough dialogue would be needed to resolve them.

"The territorial issue is the most difficult after the ceasefire," Zelenskyy told a news conference.

With the war entering its fourth year, Russian forces control nearly a fifth of Ukraine's territory and have been advancing in the eastern Donetsk region in recent months.

"The ceasefire paves the way for both sides to end the war and the territory will be the point where it is possible to end the war after this issue is resolved," the Ukrainian president said.

Moscow is demanding that Kyiv permanently cede territory claimed by Russia including Crimea and four other regions, a position Ukraine rejects.

Zelenskyy said he was discussing with Kyiv's allies future security guarantees as well as economic support, adding that 100% air defense protection would be required as a deterrent in any peace deal.