**Ukraine Aims to End War This Year**
The war in Ukraine could be over by the end of 2023, according to the country’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. He made this announcement at a conference in Kyiv on February 23.
Sybiha said that President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team are working towards a “just peace” and urged other countries to join them in their efforts. The minister emphasized the importance of diplomacy and calm decision-making, saying it’s time to “fasten our diplomatic seat belts.”
**US and Russia Negotiations**
The White House has announced that a deal with Russia could be reached this week. President Donald Trump plans to hold another round of peace talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia on February 25.
Preparations are already underway for a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
**US-Russia Talks Without Ukraine**
The US held its first direct talks with Russia about the war on February 18, but excluded Ukraine from the meeting. This decision sparked a backlash in Europe and Ukraine, as Europeans expressed concerns that they were being sidelined by the US.
Sybiha stressed that cooperation with the US is crucial to achieve a just peace, but tensions have risen recently due to Trump’s comments about Zelensky and Ukraine’s role in the conflict.
**Tensions Rise**
In recent days, Trump has labeled Zelensky a dictator and claimed that Ukraine started the war against Russia. However, he later walked back on these comments and acknowledged that Russia attacked Ukraine.
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