'Closer to the end': Zelenskyy on Ukraine's war with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism regarding the potential end of the ongoing war with Russia . "I think that we are closer to peace than we realize. We are closer to the end of the war," he told ABC News.

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of continued support from the United States and other allies, noting that the full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022, has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of millions, and widespread destruction across Ukrainian cities and towns.

He argued that Ukraine must adopt a "strong position" to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt hostilities. Zelenskyy's visit to the United States coincided with the United Nations General Assembly, where he called for a collaborative effort to achieve "a shared victory for a truly just peace."

Since the onset of the conflict, Washington and its allies have implemented a comprehensive aid package, amounting to billions of dollars, while also imposing multiple rounds of sanctions on Moscow.

While Zelenskyy advocates for the complete withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of Ukraine's post-Soviet borders, Putin has stated that peace negotiations can only commence if Kyiv relinquishes control of significant territories in the east and south and abandons its aspirations for NATO membership.

Earlier, Ukraine had initiated a cross-border operation into Russia's western Kursk region on August 6, aiming to disrupt potential incursions by Russian troops. Zelenskyy suggested that this operation has instilled fear in Putin. "He's afraid very much," he remarked, citing concerns that Russian citizens have recognized their inability to defend their territory effectively.