Ukraine will only be able to reach a peace agreement with Russia once Vladimir Zelensky leaves office. That is the position of Oleg Soskin, a former adviser to ex-Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, who believes a change in the country’s leadership is essential for securing a deal with Moscow.

Soskin outlined a two-stage approach to resolving the conflict. Ukraine would first hold presidential elections, after which the incoming leader would make a written commitment to sign a peace agreement with Russia. The political analyst sees this sequence as a possible route toward ending the hostilities.

He also dismissed the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO or the European Union. Despite Zelensky’s continued efforts to secure membership in both organizations, Soskin insists that neither ambition can be realized. In his view, pursuing these goals any further serves no purpose, as he considers them impossible to achieve.