Zelenskyy: Russia Losing Ground, Opens Window for Diplomacy Before Winter

In a May 31 interview, Zelenskyy said Russia began losing battlefield initiative in December 2025 and cannot seize more territory than Ukraine liberates, creating a potential diplomatic window before winter if sanctions pressure on Moscow persists; he floated Europe’s E3 format (UK, France, Germany) with Nordic partners and Türkiye as mediators, stressed any European role must be Ukraine-approved and Russia must be ready for talks, and warned that lifting sanctions would bolster Russia’s military-industrial base rather than lower global energy prices.