Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed confidence that the United States genuinely wants to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, while warning Washington against becoming trapped in an extended process of seeking compromises with Moscow.
Speaking in an interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy said he trusted the intentions of the United States but acknowledged the difficulty of forcing a major power to halt a war when its leadership does not want to stop.
His concern, however, is that repeated attempts to accommodate Russian demands could consume valuable time and encourage Moscow to introduce additional conditions.
Ukrainian Leader Warns of Constantly Changing Russian Demands
Zelenskyy argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin could interpret willingness to consider one proposal as an opportunity to introduce another.
According to the Ukrainian president, political changes in Europe or the United States could similarly provide Moscow with opportunities to reshape its demands.
Zelenskyy pointed specifically to the arrival of President Donald Trump in the White House, describing him as a strong president while arguing that Russia had responded to the change in U.S. leadership with new calculations of its own.
The Ukrainian leader’s comments come as the Trump administration continues diplomatic efforts related to the war. Reuters reported earlier this year that Trump had offered to help find a settlement, while subsequent talks and negotiations have continued.
Zelenskyy Links Ukraine Negotiations to U.S.-Iran Challenge
Zelenskyy also connected Moscow’s calculations over Ukraine with the United States’ confrontation with Iran.
He argued that Putin could attempt to influence the situation surrounding Iran in ways that make negotiations more difficult for Washington.
The Ukrainian president suggested that Moscow understands Trump’s desire to secure significant foreign-policy achievements and could seek to exploit that pressure.
His comments come amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Reuters reported this week that Iran was preparing for stronger retaliation if attacked again while diplomatic efforts faced significant obstacles.
Zelenskyy Says Washington Holds Far Greater Power Than Moscow
Zelenskyy argued that allowing Moscow to dictate what it is prepared to concede risks strengthening Putin’s perception that Russia controls the diplomatic process.
He urged Washington to approach negotiations from what he sees as a position of overwhelming American strength.
“America is one hundred times stronger than Russia,” Zelenskyy said, arguing that U.S. leaders needed to keep that disparity in mind when dealing with Moscow.
His remarks reflect Kyiv’s broader push for Washington and its allies to maintain pressure on Russia rather than accept conditions Ukraine considers favorable to the Kremlin.
Ukraine Says Budget Financing Gap Will Be Closed
Alongside his comments about negotiations, Zelenskyy provided an optimistic assessment of Ukraine’s financial position.
He said Kyiv had spent recent months working to address its financing deficit and expected the existing gap to be closed before the end of the year.
While acknowledging that some outstanding issues still required attention, Zelenskyy described the progress as an important achievement for Ukraine, his government and the European Union.
He said Ukrainian officials had been working closely with European partners to secure the necessary financing.
Kyiv Plans to Bring Forward Funds for 2027 Drone Orders
Part of Ukraine’s financial planning involves bringing forward some funding originally intended for next year.
Zelenskyy said his government planned to use part of the available loan financing to place orders for drones required in January and February 2027.
Members of his team had recently returned from Brussels and reported positively on the arrangements, he said.
The plan highlights the continuing importance of unmanned systems to Ukraine’s military strategy as the war extends toward another year.
Zelenskyy Touts Gains From ‘Vivaldi’ Operation
Zelenskyy also provided new details about a Ukrainian military operation known as “Vivaldi,” describing it as highly successful but still unfinished.
According to the Ukrainian president, Ukrainian forces had regained approximately 125 to 140 square kilometres of territory through the operation.
Reuters separately reported on October 3 that Ukraine’s counteroffensive known as Vivaldi had reclaimed about 140 square kilometres in the Donbas.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian commanders had initially wanted to launch the operation about a year earlier but concluded preparations were not sufficiently advanced.
He said postponing the operation ultimately produced better battlefield results while reducing Ukrainian losses.
Zelenskyy Claims Russian Monthly Casualties Have Risen Sharply
The Ukrainian president also presented figures suggesting Russian battlefield casualties had increased substantially in recent months.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia had previously been sustaining approximately 30,000 to 32,000 casualties each month since the beginning of the year.
He claimed that roughly 21,000 to 22,000 of those were deaths, with the remainder consisting largely of seriously wounded personnel.
Zelenskyy said the monthly figure had now increased to approximately 42,000 casualties.
Those casualty figures are Ukrainian claims and are difficult to independently verify during the continuing conflict.
Ukraine Claims Lower Losses Despite Offensive Operations
Zelenskyy further claimed Ukrainian losses during the Vivaldi operation were several times lower than those suffered by Russian forces, despite Ukraine conducting offensive operations while Russian troops were defending.
He presented the casualty disparity and territorial gains as evidence that delaying the operation until Ukrainian forces were better prepared had been the correct decision.
The Ukrainian president said the operation remains underway, leaving open the possibility that Kyiv could seek additional territorial gains.
Kyiv Signals Continued Pressure on Russia
Zelenskyy’s remarks combine three priorities facing his government: maintaining international financial support, sustaining battlefield operations and persuading Washington not to make concessions Kyiv believes would strengthen Moscow.
His comments also come amid another escalation in the conflict. Reuters reported on October 3 that Zelenskyy plans to intensify attacks against Russian oil refineries in response to what Kyiv describes as a new Russian approach to strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
With Washington continuing to pursue diplomatic options, Zelenskyy’s message is that Ukraine believes negotiations should be backed by stronger pressure on Moscow rather than a continuing search for compromises acceptable to the Kremlin.
