Zelenskyy’s aide noted that the United States had previously proposed a comprehensive ceasefire, including halting missile strikes and drone attacks.
“None of these scenarios were accepted by Russia,” he said.
“Air strikes are a key tool through which Moscow exerts psychological pressure on Ukraine… Russia is unlikely to want to lose the ability to use aviation and mass drone deployments. However, Ukraine is ready to discuss this, ready to consider this scenario, and sees it as an initial step toward realistic talks.”
On Aug. 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed full support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for an immediate ceasefire.
On Aug. 8, The Telegraph reported that Ukraine was willing to accept a ceasefire “that settles the war along its current front lines but does not allow for international recognition of Russia’s grip over any occupied territories.”
On Aug. 7, Polish outlet Onet reported that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, during a visit to Moscow on Aug. 6, delivered a “highly favorable proposal” from the Trump administration to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
According to Onet, the proposal included a ceasefire without a formal peace agreement, de facto recognition of Russian-occupied territories by deferring discussions for 49 or 99 years, lifting most sanctions on Russia, and resuming energy cooperation, including imports of Russian gas and oil. However, it offered no guarantees against NATO expansion or an end to military support for Ukraine.
That same day, Dmytro Lytvyn, a communications adviser to Zelenskyy, dismissed the Onet report.
“It’s doubtful that Witkoff or Ushakov [Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Putin] had time to speak with this outlet. Nothing like that was mentioned during yesterday’s leaders’ talks, and Witkoff didn’t say anything of the sort; he spoke about other matters,” Lytvyn said.