Zelensky Confidant Says Kyiv should Pursue Peace Deal with Russia
Kim, who headed a regional branch of Zelensky’s Servant of the People party during the 2019 presidential race, currently serves as governor of the Nikolaev Region, located west of Kherson. He gained national attention in the early stages of the conflict, when fighting reached areas near Nikolaev, a key Black Sea port and shipbuilding hub.
In comments cited by reports, Kim underscored the uncertainty facing the country, stating, “The land is important, but still, people are more important and the situation is that we do not know what will be tomorrow.”
He said public fatigue has deepened as the conflict approaches its fifth year, adding that the goal of restoring Ukraine’s 1991 borders no longer dominates the thinking of ordinary citizens. According to Kim, many Ukrainians now define success differently.
“So for the Ukrainian people, I think the victory is just stopping the war and some guarantees of security for the future,” Kim said. “It is very important for us because a lot of time has passed.”
He further highlighted the strain on society and the armed forces, warning that prolonged fighting is unsustainable. “We are exhausted and first, it’s not about weapons, it’s not about missiles, it’s about people. We’ve only 40 million people and everybody is exhausted. Our soldiers cannot fight for four to 10 years,” the governor said.
Zelensky, however, has repeatedly rejected any territorial concessions to Moscow, even as Russian forces continue to advance. He has also indicated that he may seek another term in office, despite his initial five-year mandate formally ending in 2024. The president has declined to hold new elections, citing the ongoing state of martial law.
Last year, Kyiv and several European supporters dismissed a peace proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump, arguing that it favored Russia. The plan included the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbass. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that a durable peace would require Ukraine to pull troops out of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye Regions, and to recognize Russia’s control over those territories, including Crimea.
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