Ukraine Sees Peace Window Until Next Summer

Ukraine sees an opportunity for the United States to mediate an end to the war with Russia by the end of next summer. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv has drafted a one-page proposal with US and European officials that will be presented to Moscow.

The document includes a proposal for a ceasefire and a US plan to create a free economic zone in the Donbas that would be administered by a third party. A third element concerns the role of the European Union and NATO, as well as what Ukraine is prepared to do to achieve a settlement.

Zelensky considers the period from the G20 summit in the United States in December until the end of summer 2027 to be crucial, given the approaching campaign for the 2028 US presidential election.

The Kremlin, however, has cast doubt on the feasibility of the economic zone. It says the territory is formally part of Russia and is therefore unlikely to be administered by a third party.

US-led peace talks broke down earlier this year after Ukraine rejected Russian demands to cede more territory and as Washington became increasingly preoccupied with the conflict with Iran.

(Reuters, bak)