Zelensky Denies Planning 2-3 More Years of War — Actual Focus Is on Next Six Months, Up to November 2026

On May 27, 2026, Zelensky's office denied media reports that he had instructed Ukrainian officials to plan for another 2-3 years of active war. His actual message to parliament focused on the next six months — through November 2026 — as the critical window for diplomatic progress. The clarification came amid intense international pressure for a ceasefire following Russia's May 24 mass attack on Kyiv (600 Shahed drones + 90 missiles + Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile), which killed 4 and injured 80+. Zelensky simultaneously maintained Ukraine's position that any peace deal must include iron-clad security guarantees to prevent Russia from using a ceasefire to rearm and reinvade. Ukraine has been invited to the NATO Ankara summit (confirmed by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte), a significant step toward the institutional security architecture Ukraine is seeking.