However, initial steps toward peace, including a ceasefire, could begin much sooner.
“A just peace will come—probably after Putin,” Zelenskyy said. “But peace that begins with a ceasefire, and then moves step by step toward a lasting settlement, could begin tomorrow.”
He emphasized that the current Russian regime views everything through the lens of power preservation.
“Justice—well, I think it will be hard to wait for it. The Putin regime looks at the world only through the perspective of staying in power in Russia,” he said. “Putin clings to his office—it protects him, his life, his capital, his business. That’s why he holds on to it and works to radicalize society with the nationalist ideas of the so-called ‘Russian world.’”
According to Zelenskyy, Moscow currently shows no sign of being ready to end the war or even negotiate.
“I don’t feel it. We don’t have enough pressure. There hasn’t been enough force applied to make him stop,” he said. “Even today, the world’s leading powers are not fully engaged. The U.S. is involved—but not 100%. Other countries like China and members of the Global South are staying on the sidelines. That gives Putin space to delay the moment when the war must end.”
Zelenskyy believes the United States could play a decisive role in “putting Russia in its place” due to its global influence. He also expressed hope that Germany would take part in future peace efforts and participate in negotiations to end the war.
Meanwhile, on May 29, Russian independent outlet Verstka, citing sources in Russia’s Foreign Ministry and Putin’s administration, reported that Moscow does not expect substantive talks with the Ukrainian delegation at a potential meeting in Istanbul on June 2.
One Russian Foreign Ministry official told Verstka that Moscow’s objective is simply to create the appearance that Ukraine is determined to keep fighting despite its losses.
Also on May 29, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi claimed that Moscow is hesitant to present its own ceasefire “memorandum” to Ukraine because it likely contains unrealistic ultimatums.
In a separate analysis, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), citing a May 28 Reuters article, concluded that Russia’s demands for ending the war remain unchanged: the capitulation of Ukraine and the dismantling of NATO.
ISW also noted that Kremlin officials have signaled their ambitions extend beyond the occupied parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson oblasts—they are also eyeing Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.