“It will be very difficult for us until September” – Zelenskyy on possible paths for peace talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the spring and summer months will be "very difficult" for Ukraine regardless of which path Russia takes, as diplomatic and battlefield pressure converges with an approaching US internal political deadline, Suspilne reports from a presidential press meeting.
Zelenskyy framed Russia's reported moves toward shutting down Telegram as a possible signal that the Kremlin is preparing its population for an unpopular decision — either a deeper escalation of the war or entry into peace negotiations. "I think these people are definitely not ready to end the war," he said of the hardline faction within Russia, which he estimated at 20–25% of the population.
Two scenarios
If Russia escalates, Zelenskyy said, expanded mobilization becomes unavoidable — including in cities the Kremlin has so far shielded. "Escalation of the war means even greater mobilization for them. That means people from Moscow and St. Petersburg to the front — and corpses back to Moscow and St. Petersburg. That is, the large cities he previously tried to avoid in mobilization, he will no longer be able to avoid. This could be one version," he said, according to Suspilne.
The alternative — moving toward de-escalation and talks — risks inflaming Russia's hardline minority, who oppose any settlement.
The spring–summer window
If Russia chooses the de-escalation path, Zelenskyy said a trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States is likely. "If Russia chooses the path of de-escalation, I believe there will be a trilateral meeting. And they will try to hold it in April, May, or June. I think these are the key months for them."
The window narrows sharply after that, he said, because the United States will be increasingly absorbed by its own electoral cycle. "I think that for us it will be very difficult until September. In my view, the Americans will not give anyone more time on this dialogue. From the start of summer, the US will go further into its internal processes — into the elections. And I think they have a kind of internal political deadline — approximately August."
During that period, Zelenskyy warned, Ukraine should expect simultaneous pressure on two tracks. "This spring–summer period will be quite difficult politically and diplomatically. There may be pressure on Ukraine. And on the battlefield as well. But we understand what Ukraine's national interests are and what can guarantee security."
NATO summit as a counterweight
Zelenskyy called on Ukraine's partners to use the upcoming NATO summit as a lever. "Partners could this year hold an absolutely unprecedented, historic, pivotal and, in a certain sense, victorious NATO summit. But it depends on them — on what they are really ready for and whether they take responsibly the threats that exist not against one individual, but against everyone."
He stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia during the same window: "It is important that during this period there is sufficient pressure on Russia as well."
Background: Geneva talks
The most recent trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States took place on 17 February in Geneva. US special envoy Steve Witkoff reported "significant progress" after the first day. Zelenskyy said the talks produced "constructiveness" on ceasefire monitoring mechanisms, with the American side confirmed to participate.
