Zelensky tells Politico deadline for liberating Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories

Politico has written about this with reference to the head of the Armed Forces Committee of the US House of Representatives, Adam Smith, who met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

Ukraine must return the territories occupied by Russia within the next 3-6 weeks. Otherwise, it will become much more difficult.

According to Smith, Ukrainian officials want to reach a peace agreement with the Russians, but first it is necessary to win back the occupied territories. "Help them now as much as possible. The next 3-6 weeks are crucial", he said, quoting the main message he heard from Zelenskyy and others.

"While it's still summer, the winter months are fast approaching. The colder temperatures and brutal conditions will slow the fighting down to a brutal war of attrition that mostly benefits Russia. Additional support now - before Putin's forces make gains - is much better than help later", the publication wrote.