Kyiv, Ukraine – Amidst ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe, new proposals from the United States have emerged, aiming to facilitate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. A high-ranking Ukrainian official revealed to DZWatch that these proposals coincide with a series of high-level meetings, including a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Zelenskyy’s discussions with Erdoğan follow a tour of Greece, France, and Spain. He is also scheduled to meet with officials from the US military in Kyiv on Thursday. The renewed diplomatic activity comes after a period of stalled negotiations. Direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow have been dormant since a meeting in Istanbul in July. Meanwhile, military operations continue in eastern Ukraine.
According to sources, there is a growing momentum to revive peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, despite Russia’s apparent reluctance to alter its demands for ending the war. The Kremlin has indicated that Russian negotiators will not participate in direct talks. However, President Vladimir Putin remains open to discussions with the United States and Turkey regarding a potential resolution.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced suggesting that Washington is secretly coordinating with Russia to develop a roadmap for ending the conflict. These reports highlight a renewed effort by the US to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
Prior to the meetings, Zelenskyy stated his intention to discuss with Erdoğan how to achieve a “just peace” in Ukraine. He emphasized that doing “everything possible to accelerate the end of the war is our top priority.” Erdoğan echoed this sentiment, stating that the Istanbul negotiations represent an important platform for ending the conflict through diplomatic means. He highlighted the benefit of reactivating the Istanbul track to address increasingly complex problems.
Turkey, a NATO member that maintains close ties with both sides, hosted an initial round of peace talks in 2022. These talks remained the only of their kind until recent efforts by the United States to find a resolution. DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing story.
