Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated a readiness for a ceasefire in the ongoing defense war against Russia, contingent upon receiving security guarantees from the United States similar to those provided to Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. Zelensky is currently visiting Rome, Paris, and Berlin, seeking assurances for swift EU membership, which would offer Ukraine a growth perspective.
Before his meetings in Rome, where he will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis, Zelensky visited London, engaging with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO’s new chief Mark Rutte. Initially, he planned to present his strategy at a gathering of Western leaders in Germany, but the meeting was postponed due to President Joe Biden's commitment to address Hurricane Milton in the US.
Zelensky expressed optimism about the potential for peace, stating that the months of October, November, and December present a genuine opportunity to move towards peace and lasting stability. However, he faces the critical question of whether to abandon his goal of liberating all Ukrainian territory from invaders in light of Russia's military superiority.
Experts are currently assessing Ukraine's military position along the Donbass front as precarious. Kyiv has long requested long-range weapons from the West, but Biden and Germany remain cautious, fearing further escalation of the conflict. During a summit in Croatia with Southeast European leaders, Zelensky emphasized that his plan aims to strengthen Ukraine both geopolitically and on the battlefield before initiating dialogue with Russia.