Zelenskyy: Ukraine's Path to Peace Supported Even Within Putin's Circle

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that Ukraine's pursuit of peace is gaining support, even from individuals within Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle. Zelenskyy indicated that a growing understanding of the necessity for peace is taking root in Russia, suggesting that some close to Putin recognize the current situation is unsustainable. "We have presented proposals on how to bring peace closer. We have support for ending the war not only among world partners but also among some people in Putin's environment. They understand what is happening and that there is no alternative to peace," Zelenskyy stated.

He further suggested that Russia is experiencing a deepening gasoline crisis, attributing it to regular Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. These attacks, he implied, are Ukraine's response to Putin's unwillingness to end the war. Ukrainian long-range strikes have reportedly hit several Russian regions and targets within occupied Ukrainian territories.

According to Reuters sources, Putin's advisors had previously proposed halting the war along the current front lines. However, the Kremlin leader reportedly rejected this idea, as his objective remains the full occupation of the Donbas region. Earlier, the Ukrainian president had stated that freezing the front lines would be the quickest route to peace with Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine's proposal for ending the war offers a realistic path for the Kremlin regime to avoid collapse, presenting an opportunity to step back from a potentially disastrous outcome.

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We have presented proposals on how to bring peace closer. We have support for ending the war not only among world partners but also among some people in Putin's environment. They understand what is happening and that there is no alternative to peace.