Zelensky: Ceasefire along the front line is the fastest path to ending the war

Priority is stopping the losses

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised that the fastest way to end Russia's war against Ukraine is to establish a ceasefire regime along the current line of contact. Such a step should facilitate the transition from active combat operations to diplomatic dialogue. Even if the search for a final agreement lasts for months or longer, an immediate halt to the hot phase of the conflict will stop the loss of human life.

The head of state outlined this position in an interview with DR Nyheder.

Strategy: fixing positions and moving to dialogue

According to Zelensky, Ukraine must consolidate its current positions, cease fire, and initiate the diplomatic process. The President stressed that the duration of negotiations could vary — from one or two months to a year or even longer than currently anticipated.

At the same time, stopping the shooting will have significant positive consequences:

• preservation of human lives;
• fixing the front line;
• slowing the pace of mobilisation;
• gradual restoration of economic functioning.

«Діалог кращий за зброю. Саме тому найкращий спосіб завершити цю війну — замінити зброю на слова» (Dialogue is better than weapons. That is why the best way to end this war is to replace weapons with words), Zelensky emphasised.

Complex aspects of future negotiations

The President acknowledged that implementing a regime of silence would require resolving a number of complex issues. Among the key aspects that would need to be agreed upon, he listed:

• the exact stopping point for troops;
• the powers of the monitoring mission;
• territories subject to demilitarisation;
• the role of European partners in the process;
• conditions for Ukraine's reconstruction and sources of financing.

Zelensky is convinced that the ceasefire format is what allows the war to be stopped, while the remaining points of discussion can be resolved through diplomatic means.

Position on Moscow's demands

The head of state also drew attention to the fact that if Volodymyr Putin refuses an immediate ceasefire, insisting on prior agreement on a comprehensive plan involving numerous sensitive issues, this may indicate Russia's unwillingness to actually stop combat operations.