Sat Nov 16 15:15:44 UTC 2024: ## Zelensky Seeks Diplomatic End to War as Trump’s Return Looms
**Kyiv, Ukraine –** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that Ukraine aims to achieve a diplomatic resolution to the war with Russia by the end of 2025. This announcement comes as both countries brace for the return of Donald Trump to the White House, a prospect that has injected significant uncertainty into the conflict.
Recent months have seen Russia gain ground in eastern Ukraine, despite Ukrainian forces being outmatched. Mr. Trump’s previously expressed criticism of US military aid to Ukraine has fueled concerns about the future of Western support. Adding to the complexity, Western officials report that North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to assist Russia in repelling a Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region. This deployment follows a recent landmark defense pact between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Mr. Zelensky’s statement follows a Friday phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a conversation that Kyiv opposed. While Mr. Scholz urged Mr. Putin to negotiate, Mr. Putin reiterated his demand that Ukraine cede occupied territories as a precondition for talks – a condition Mr. Zelensky has firmly rejected. South Korea and Japan have strongly condemned North Korea’s military involvement in the conflict.
The G7 nations, meanwhile, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and reiterated that Russia is solely responsible for obstructing a just peace, vowing to continue sanctions against Moscow. Despite Russia’s recent territorial gains, Mr. Zelensky asserted that Russian forces are suffering heavy losses and that their advance has slowed. He characterized Russia as a state that disregards human life and resources. The ongoing conflict, now entering its third year, continues to reverberate globally, with significant implications for regional and international security.
First Piper 