We Are Closer to Peace Than We Think. We Are Closer to the End of the War, - President of Ukraine

Ukraine is closer to ending Russia's war of aggression than many people think, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, calling on Western countries to strengthen Ukraine's Armed Forces.

‘The plan of victory is to strengthen Ukraine, so we ask our friends, our allies to help us become stronger,’ Zelenskyy said in an interview with the US-based ABC News. ‘I think we are closer to peace than we think. We are closer to the end of the war.’

ABC News notes that Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on the United States and the United Kingdom to lift restrictions on the use of long-range missiles provided by them to hit targets deep in Russian territory.

However, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has warned that the use of Western weapons in response to Russian targets is considered a serious escalation of the war and a direct challenge to Russia by NATO countries.

Zelenskyy also said in an interview with ABC News that Putin fears an invasion of the Kursk region of Russia by Ukrainian troops. ‘It is true that he is afraid because his people have seen that he cannot defend his entire territory,’ the Ukrainian president confirmed.

Zelenskyy stressed that only with a strong position can Ukraine push Putin to end the war.

Zelenskyy arrived in the United States on Sunday, where he plans to present his victory plan to both US President Joe Biden and leaders of other partner countries. Zelenskyy is expected to present a detailed version of the plan to Biden during their meeting in Washington on Thursday.

As previously reported, on Monday, in his speech at the UN Future Summit, the President of Ukraine said that Russia and its proxies are actively trying to undermine international unity, UN efforts and the principles of international law.

Zelenskyy called on world leaders to join Ukraine's efforts to overcome the destructiveness of Russia and its proxies, urging countries to participate in the next global peace summit in Ukraine.

Ukraine's peace goals, including the president's long-awaited victory plan, will be in focus during Zelenskyy's trip to the US. He is expected to present details of the plan to US President Joe Biden at the White House on 26 September.

The five-point plan is reported to include fast-tracking Ukraine's accession to NATO.