As diplomatic efforts in Washington aimed at ending the protracted war in Ukraine gather momentum, fighting continues unabated. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched a significant overnight assault comprising 270 drones and 10 missiles targeting critical infrastructure in the country, particularly energy facilities in the Poltava region.
This marked the largest attack of the month, occurring right after President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House to discuss peace initiatives.
In a simultaneous development, both Russia and Ukraine confirmed the exchange of fallen soldiers’ remains. Vladimir Medinsky, a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated via Telegram that Russia had returned 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers while receiving 19 in return. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War in Ukraine acknowledged this exchange, expressing appreciation to the International Committee of the Red Cross for facilitating the process.
The peace talks in Istanbul earlier this year saw three rounds between the two nations, leading to significant prisoner swaps but yielding little else aside from memorandums reflecting the starkly opposing positions of both sides. These talks were held on May 16, June 2, and July 23, with diplomats from Turkey facilitating discussions.
Recent diplomatic efforts reached a critical juncture after a summit in Alaska between President Trump and President Putin. Following this, a follow-up meeting took place in Washington where Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders further discussed peace strategies.
The main challenges in the talks continue to revolve around the issues of land swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine. Ukraine and its allies consistently advocate for a ceasefire to be enacted while negotiations proceed, but Putin has resisted such proposals. With his forces advancing in Ukraine, he appears to have little motivation to halt their operations.
Prior to his recent discussions with Putin, President Trump warned of “severe consequences” if Russia failed to accept a ceasefire. However, after the summit, he shifted his approach, suggesting the priority should be on achieving a comprehensive peace agreement, which aligns more closely with Putin’s inclinations.
Achieving a peace deal necessitates security assurances for Ukraine, allowing it to effectively deter any future Russian aggression. Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for a robust Ukrainian military, which depends on continued support in terms of weapons and training from Western allies.
One potential avenue for increased security is providing Ukraine with guarantees akin to NATO’s Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. However, the specifics of how this could be implemented remain unclear.
Furthermore, European partners are eager to establish a coalition force to support any peace agreement. Known as the “Coalition of the Willing,” this effort includes 30 nations, with participation from various European countries, Japan, and Australia. However, the role of the United States within this initiative is yet to be clarified.
While Trump has indicated willingness to assist with protection, he has avoided making a commitment to deploying American troops, opting instead for assurances of “coordination.”
The Russian government has firmly opposed the idea of NATO troops operating in Ukraine, a stance that complicates the discussions.
Recently, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron conducted an online meeting to discuss coalition strategies, with plans for further deliberations involving NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Following those discussions, a virtual meeting with Trump and European leaders is anticipated.
Negotiations are further complicated by Putin’s demands that Ukraine relinquish the Donbas region, encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk, areas that have experienced intense conflict but remain partially under Ukrainian control. Russian forces also maintain occupation of Crimea and portions of six other regions, which together constitute approximately one-fifth of Ukraine. The international community widely condemns Russia’s presence in these areas.
Analyst Anna Matveeva, a visiting research fellow from King’s College London, posited that securing a breakthrough in security guarantees for Ukraine is crucial for advancing discussions on territorial concessions.
She noted that such guarantees would offer European leaders a tangible benefit to consider while Trump strives to achieve substantive progress with Zelenskyy and Putin through parallel negotiations.
Matveeva remarked that Putin appears amenable to some Western security guarantees, which she identifies as a significant development in the context of these talks.
President Trump expressed cautious optimism regarding the potential for an end to the conflict, although he acknowledged the possibility that Putin might not be interested in reaching an agreement. In an interview on Fox News, Trump stated, “We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks. It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal.”
Russia has not formally committed to direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy, despite Trump projecting the possibility during discussions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has indicated that Moscow is open to arranging discussions around the peace process but emphasized that any meeting of national leaders must be meticulously prepared.
Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Moscow, highlighted that Russia has not dismissed prospects for a bilateral or trilateral meeting, which had been mentioned in conversations with European leaders and Zelenskyy.
Amid these developments, Russia acknowledged the sincerity of the White House’s efforts, with indications that stakeholders are eager to maintain a cooperative relationship with the Trump administration, allowing for a constructive dialogue moving forward.
image source from：aljazeera
