Ukraine Seeks Swift End To War, Many Killed, Wounded, Says Zelensky
President Zelensky stated in February that Ukraine had suffered 31,000 military fatalities in the two-year conflict.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Thursday revealed that a comprehensive plan to resolve the conflict with Russia is anticipated to be unveiled in the coming months.
He stressed that Ukraine is not seeking to prolong the conflict indefinitely, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Zelensky made these comments during a joint press conference with European Council President Charles Michel in Brussels, emphasizing Ukraine's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution.
During his visit to Brussels, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed a significant security agreement with the European Union, encompassing defense assistance, weapons supplies, and training.
At a press conference, Zelensky reaffirmed his commitment to a swift resolution of the conflict, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive plan that addresses "all aspects" of the crisis.
This comes on the heels of the global peace summit hosted by Switzerland on June 15-16, which brought together over 90 countries and organizations.
The summit resulted in a joint communiqué signed by 78 states and four organizations, with nine additional countries endorsing the document subsequently.
Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, is gearing up to host a second global peace summit before the end of 2024. The aim is to build upon President Zelensky's 10-point peace plan and develop a new, collaborative peace initiative that incorporates feedback and suggestions from other nations.
Kyiv is open to international input and perspectives, seeking a comprehensive and inclusive approach to achieving peace.
"We don't have much time. We have a lot of injured, killed, both military and civilians. So we do not want this war to last for years. Therefore, we have to prepare this plan and put it on the table at the second peace summit," Zelensky said.
According to President Zelensky, Ukraine is advocating for inclusive and transparent negotiations.
Notably, several countries that participated in the summit, such as India, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Colombia, South Africa, Thailand, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, did not sign the joint communiqué, highlighting the diversity of perspectives and interests at play.
China declined to participate in the summit, citing Russia's absence, and is reportedly promoting its own alternative peace plan, as revealed on June 13.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government has maintained a policy of not disclosing its military casualty figures, instead focusing on highlighting the purported significant losses suffered by Russian forces, amid the ongoing conflict.
President Zelensky stated in February that Ukraine had suffered 31,000 military fatalities in the two-year conflict.
However, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Belousov estimated that Ukraine lost 35,000 soldiers in May alone, while his predecessor Sergey Shoigu claimed that Ukraine's total military fatalities exceeded 440,000. The scale of Ukraine's military losses is indirectly corroborated by the increasingly violent forced mobilisation efforts, which have intensified in recent times.
Videos have surfaced online showing recruitment officers forcibly conscripting individuals, engaging in physical altercations, brandishing firearms, and subjecting potential recruits to various forms of coercion and abuse.
The mobilisation drive, launched early in the conflict, has escalated in intensity, suggesting a dire need for manpower.
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