Volodymyr Zelensky told Sky News Ukraine is "very close" to developing a ballistic missile capable of striking targets inside Russia, reflecting rapid weapons advances driven by years of conflict. He said Kyiv would be prepared to freeze fighting along current frontlines if that created space for peace talks. Zelensky confirmed Roman Abramovich acted as an intermediary and said he is willing to meet Vladimir Putin "in any kind of format" to try to end the war. Kyiv and its European partners believe Putin may face domestic pressure after battlefield setbacks and weakened air defences.
Zelensky: Ukraine 'Very Close' to Ballistic Missile That Could Reach Russia — Offers Frontline Freeze to Enable Talks
Friedrich Merz, Volodymyr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron gather on the steps of No 10 - REUTERS
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Vladimir Putin that Ukraine is "very close" to developing a ballistic missile capable of striking targets inside Russia, saying years of war have accelerated Kyiv's weapons development.
Speaking to Sky News ahead of planned talks with Sir Keir Starmer and the leaders of France and Germany about ending the conflict, the Ukrainian president said his country had learned quickly from sustained attacks:
On the subject of ballistic missiles, Mr Zelensky said, ‘We are now on the way, we are very close’ - SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA/Shutterstock
"During several years of the war and massive attacks, we learned, we studied and we produced… we produced a lot of different drones and missiles, we still don’t have ballistics, but we are now on the way, we are very close."
Zelensky framed the development as part of Ukraine's broader effort to respond to cross-border strikes. Asked about the growing number of attacks, he told the broadcaster:
"It’s our response and our answer that we will not just silently die. We will respond and we will be stronger and stronger each day, day by day."
Despite warning that Kyiv is expanding its strike capabilities, Zelensky said he would immediately agree to freeze fighting along the current frontlines if doing so created space for diplomatic negotiations to end the war. Asked whether ceding territory now controlled by Russia would hand Putin a victory, he replied:
Vladimir Putin is said to be feeling the pressure amid heavy battlefield casualties and a weakened airforce - REUTERS
"No, no… to freeze, to stay where we stay, it is meant to give the people of Ukraine more possibilities to save their children and soldiers to come back."
The president described Ukraine's resistance as a form of success, saying the country had "defended independence" and calling that "a big, big victory." He said he was receiving mixed signals from Mr Putin about whether the Russian leader might be prepared to negotiate after nearly five years of fighting.
Kyiv and its European allies believe Mr Putin may be under renewed domestic pressure because of battlefield setbacks and weakened air defences. "We know he wants to win in this terrible war," Zelensky said. "He's not so loud about it because he doesn't have the initiative on the battlefield, I think he understands it."
Sir Keir and Mr Macron, the French president, could be instrumental to a breakthrough in talks - Alishia Abodunde
Zelensky said he would be willing to meet Mr Putin face to face "in any kind of format", even suggesting a third-party mediator could be used. He confirmed that Roman Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea Football Club, had been used as an intermediary to carry messages to Moscow.
Zelensky said he told intermediaries that the key message concerned the Donbas: "We will not leave . . . and we will not give you victory in such [a] way."
His comments underline Kyiv's simultaneous efforts to expand military capabilities while signalling openness to negotiations that could lead to a ceasefire or diplomatic settlement.
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