Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says US decisive actions could end Russian war next year

(Reuters)

Sept 23 – Decisive actions by the United States now could hasten the end of the Russian war against Ukraine next year, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday after telling the ABC News that his country was “closer to the end of the war.”

“Now, at the end of the year, we have a real opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and the United States,” Zelenskiy said in a post on his Telegram messaging app after meeting with a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Congress.

“Decisive action now could hasten the just end of Russian aggression against Ukraine next year.”

Zelenskiy is in the United States for the U.N. General Assembly. Later in the week he will travel to Washington to present his “victory plan” and influence White House policy on the war no matter who wins the U.S. election on Nov. 5.

On Monday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump – who says he will end the war within days if elected – claimed without evidence that Zelenskiy wanted the Democrats to win in November.

The presidential office in Kyiv did not immediately respond to a request for comment but Zelenskiy has previously said he is willing to work with whoever occupies the White House.

In the interview with ABC News, Zelenskiy urged Washington and other partners to continue supporting Ukraine. Washington and its allies have provided a multi-billion dollar assistance program to Ukraine while also imposing several rounds of sanctions against Moscow.