0
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the reburial ceremony of the late Andriy Melnyk, a leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) branch, and his late wife Sophia, held at the National Military Memorial Cemetery in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on the 25th of last month (local time). / Photo via AFP, Yonhap News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on the 31st (local time) that his military's strategic position in the war with Russia has strengthened, arguing that peace talks must be brought to fruition before this winter begins.

In a virtual interview with the US CBS program 'Face the Nation' broadcast on this day, President Zelensky stated, "Russia began losing the battlefield initiative in December 2025," adding, "We shared this information with the United States and told them this January that 'we have an opportunity for negotiations'".

The interview was reportedly taped two days prior. During the interview, President Zelensky explained, "Now they have begun launching massive missile attacks against us, which they are doing precisely because they have started losing ground on the battlefield," noting, "They have lost more territory than they occupied over the span of a month."

He then emphasized, "Now we have time before winter comes," adding, "Until then, I believe we must find a diplomatic path that allows us to sit down and talk".

President Zelensky argued that whether a peace deal with Russia can be achieved depends on how much more pressure is exerted on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Instead of lifting sanctions against Russia, the direction is rather toward strengthening them," he said, urging, "I hope the United States and Europe will tighten their sanctions."

President Zelensky's remarks on this day align with recent comments made by Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, a top Ukrainian military commander, who noted in an interview with Reuters that Ukraine has a six-month window of opportunity to seize control of the battlefield and secure an advantageous position for peace negotiations.

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min