He explained that Ukraine is proposing for Europe to broker an agreement with Russia for a mutual halt to attacks on airports.
“The possibility of moving to a different negotiating track looks absolutely promising with Europe on board,” Podolyak said.
“We could sell it to Russia saying: ‘Look, we’re not talking about an air ceasefire, but about a ceasefire that can help you avoid having trouble with your airports'.”
The presidential advisor emphasized that this ceasefire requires the complete absence of Russian missiles and drones in Ukrainian airspace.
Otherwise no airline or insurance company will risk operating in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine asked Europe to help revive peace talks with Russia by starting with a small, concrete step: a mutual halt to attacks on airports.
He added that the initiative could give European leaders a clearly defined diplomatic role at a moment when talks between Kyiv and Moscow under U.S. mediation have stalled.
Sybiha noted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already discussed the idea with some European leaders.
He emphasized that Kyiv is not asking Europe to replace Washington; any European efforts should reinforce, not compete with, U.S.-led diplomacy.