Kyiv, August 23, 2025 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Global South nations to bolster diplomatic efforts to compel Russia to end its ongoing war with Ukraine. In a social media post following discussions with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to halt the conflict, stating, “The killings and destruction must be stopped.”
Zelenskyy expressed openness to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in any format to negotiate an end to the war. However, he accused Moscow of deliberately stalling diplomatic progress, urging Global South countries to send “relevant signals” to push Russia toward peace.
The appeal comes amid faltering international efforts, led by U.S. President Donald Trump and supported by European nations, to broker a peaceful resolution. On Friday, Trump voiced frustration over the lack of progress in negotiations, threatening to impose sanctions on Russia within two weeks if no advancements are made. Trump has been advocating for a summit between Zelenskyy and Putin, a proposal long supported by the Ukrainian leader.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking on NBC’s *Meet the Press* on Friday, stated that no such meeting is planned, citing the absence of a “proper agenda.” Lavrov noted that Putin is willing to meet Zelenskyy, but only when a clear framework for discussions is established.
**Battlefield Developments**
As diplomatic efforts stall, fighting continues in eastern Ukraine. Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday that its forces captured two villages, Sredneye and Kleban-Byk, in the Donetsk region, following the seizure of three other villages the previous day. The capture of Kleban-Byk marks a step toward Kostiantynivka, a strategic town on the route to Kramatorsk, a key Ukrainian logistics hub.
The ongoing conflict, which intensified following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, continues to exact a heavy toll as both sides vie for territorial control and diplomatic leverage.
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