On September 22, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a press conference following his meeting with Donald Trump that Vladimir Putin will not be able to win a war if he decides to attack Europe. According to Zelensky, the Russian president cannot even capture Donbas, which is why he is trying to weaken support for Ukraine by dividing Western countries.
Putin's Problems on the Battlefield
Zelensky emphasized that Putin is facing serious difficulties in conducting the war. He noted that:
- About one million Russian soldiers are currently on Ukrainian territory.
- 32,000 to 33,000 Russian soldiers are dying each month.
- These losses create fear in Putin regarding his own people.
The Ukrainian president believes that such circumstances force Putin to find ways to demonstrate successes to explain to his citizens why the war continues without significant victories.
Negotiations with Trump and Energy Ceasefire
Zelensky also discussed the outcomes of his negotiations with Trump, emphasizing that:
- Ukraine is ready for an energy ceasefire if Russia does not attack its energy infrastructure.
- The U.S. will convey Ukraine's proposal to the Russian side.
- Trump agreed to provide a license for the production of missiles for the Patriot system.
- Zelensky is ready to meet with Putin at any moment.
- Trump aims to end the war and promises to do everything possible to achieve this.
At the same time, Zelensky noted that there were no requests for a unilateral cessation of strikes from Ukraine, and he expressed hope that Trump would impose tough sanctions against Russia.
Hopes for Ending the War
Zelensky expressed his desire to end the war but noted that Putin is not ready for this and does not want a trilateral meeting. He emphasized that calls to end the war based on historical reasons are absurd, as the reality of the war requires specific actions and decisions.