Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin have both consistently expressed their unwillingness to engage in any discussions with one another.
But that may finally be changing with a shift from the Ukrainian side.
The war has again settled into a stalemate. Russia's counterattack in the northwest has faltered, mirroring Ukraine's failed counterattack in the south in 2023. The frontline stays almost static, with Russian forces advancing slowly and with difficulty in the Kharkiv region and Donbas.
In mid-June, Putin was encouraged enough to call on Ukraine to retreat from four eastern regions partially occupied by his forces as a prerequisite of peace talks. He emphasized that Ukrainian forces should pull out from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of the country in exchange for a cease-fire by Russian troops. Additionally, he insisted that Ukraine abandon its aspiration to become a member of the NATO. According to the Russian president, under these circumstances, Moscow will be prepared to engage in peace negotiations with Kyiv at any time and place.
Zelensky has found himself in a tricky situation, where any move he makes—whether toward peace or war—will throw off Ukraine's delicate political stability. Perhaps throughout his time as president, he has never encountered a tougher decision. Agreeing to Russia's terms in negotiations could harm his approval ratings and spark widespread protests nationwide. Conversely, prolonging the war is steering the country towards a political, economic, and demographic disaster.
Having some inside knowledge, I was confident that Zelensky, with his extreme stubbornness and heightened pride, would choose to engage in eternal battle rather than seek a compromise with the enemy. Yet, he surprised me by finding the courage to confront reality. It's clear now that he's leaning toward negotiations.
The one to release this as a trial balloon was not Zelensky, but his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, who is solidifying his position as a central figure in Kyiv.
Recently, during a conference call with journalists from around the world, Yermak mentioned that working groups are already preparing a follow-up gathering organized by China, which has the potential to bring an end to the war.
"We are looking for the possibility, in the second summit, to invite a representative of Russia, and together present the joint plan," Yermak said, after which he clarified: "This will be a real plan which will be very difficult to dispute... a real road map how to stop this war and how to resolve the crisis."
The comment stirred muted discontent on social platforms, yet it did not incite the entire Ukrainian population. After a brief wait, Zelensky confidently stepped forward and declared that he had no intention of prolonging the conflict. "We don't have much time," he told journalists in Brussels on June 27. "We have a lot of injured, killed, both military and civilians. So, we do not want this war to last for years. Therefore, we have to prepare this plan and put it on the table at the second peace summit."
Undoubtedly, these words were aimed not so much at the press representatives as at the Kremlin. To ensure his message was crystal clear, Zelensky reiterated this the following day during a press conference in Kyiv alongside Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar.
At the same time, Zelensky noted that Ukraine is enhancing its military capabilities because, "These are two things that go in parallel: to be strong on the battlefield and to develop a plan, a clear and detailed plan that will be ready this year."
It is pleasing to observe the Ukrainian president adopting a more realistic stance. The next step is to observe the response of the Ukrainian soldiers to Zelensky's softened position.
Until the negotiations begin, Ukrainian they must continue valiantly repelling attacks from Russia. Each piece of land they defend is soaked with their blood. Each day of Ukraine's survival comes at the cost of their sacrifice.
We should also keep in mind the relatives of those who lost their loved ones, as well as the citizens whose sense of national pride could be affected by making concessions to Russia.
In my assessment, Ukrainians are split almost evenly when it comes to Zelensky's desire for peace. Typically, those in favor of war are more vocal. Can the president of Ukraine stay strong on peace in the face of their pressure?
This will become clear in the coming months. In the meantime, the nation finds itself frozen in anticipation.
Sergey G. Maidukov Sr. is a Ukrainian writer, author of Life on the Run and Deadly Bonds. Follow @sergeymaidukov on Instagram.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
