Ukrainian and U.S. officials are aligning on a new peace initiative, hoping to shift Moscow’s position on a potential ceasefire in aerial operations. As the war enters its next phase, with long-range strikes becoming routine, diplomats in Kyiv and Washington believe a window is opening for diplomatic progress.
The new proposals, according to sources in both governments, reflect the evolving situation on the battlefield. With Ukraine expanding its air operations deep into Russia and Russia retaliating with strikes on Kyiv, the cost of escalation is rising. A U.S. official said the White House believes Moscow may now be more willing to accept at least a partial air ceasefire.
Recent phone calls between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — have set the stage for new negotiations. However, the talks are not yet reaching the level of detailed proposals. Instead, the U.S. side has informed Kyiv that a revised framework for peace talks is being drafted.
Zelensky had planned to meet in person with the envoys in Finland, but those plans were delayed due to the U.S.-Iran tensions. Despite the setback, officials said negotiations are proceeding in the background, with no immediate plans for Witkoff and Kushner to travel to Kyiv in the near term.
A New Meeting — And the Shadow of Putin
Zelensky and Trump are expected to meet soon, potentially at the funeral of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on July 28 or at the White House. The meeting will focus on the next phase of the peace initiative, including a renewed push to arrange direct talks between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite Zelensky's insistence that only Putin can end the war, the Kremlin has consistently demanded that any meeting take place in Russia. Kyiv sees this as a stalling tactic, not a genuine offer of engagement. Trump, meanwhile, has said he would not oppose a potential Putin-Zelensky meeting if it advanced peace.
The conflict has moved beyond the front lines, with both sides launching long-range strikes deep into each other’s territory. Ukraine has targeted Russian logistics and military infrastructure, while Russia has increased missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including frequent strikes against Kyiv’s civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine is running out of Patriot interceptors, the only system currently capable of countering Russian ballistic missiles. Zelensky previously sent a letter to Trump warning about the shortage, but it is unclear whether the U.S. will send more interceptors. The situation has created a delicate balance: Ukraine’s limited air defense resources and Russia’s exposure to long-range Ukrainian strikes.
A U.S. official said that Washington believes Russia may be more open now to an air ceasefire than it was in the past. But whether that openness translates into broader negotiations remains uncertain.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on July 23 that Russia remains open to negotiations. Ukrainian officials, however, remain skeptical that Moscow is seriously considering an end to the war. They are focusing on the possibility of a limited air truce, even as the fighting on the ground continues.