Ukraine Delivers War-Ending Proposals to U.S. Negotiators
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has submitted proposals to U.S. negotiators for ending the Ukraine war with Russia, while Russian officials and experts express confidence in victory but offer conflicting timelines for the conflict's end, ranging from imminent conclusion to continuation into 2027. [2]
Zelenskyy Submits Peace Proposals to U.S.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine handed peace proposals to the American side and urged the U.S. to bolster Ukrainian air defense and pressure Russia to end the war rather than prolong it. [2] He offered no details on the proposals. [2] U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were last in Moscow last January and have not yet visited Kyiv. [2] Ukraine has repeatedly called for a ceasefire after nearly 4-1/2 years of fighting. [2] In his remarks, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had evidence that Russia would exploit its September “pseudo-election” as a pretext to proclaim a new mobilization to boost the numbers of fighting personnel. [2] He described the vote as an “imitation of parliamentary elections” intended to “create the appearance that Russians supposedly support the war,” after which Russia plans an additional rapid mobilization of several hundred thousand Russians by the end of the year, plus another similar number next year. [2] The draft would be in addition to recruitment through the conclusion of contracts with servicemen. [2]
Russian Leadership Voices Confidence in Victory
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed no doubts about Russia's victory in the special military operation but said specific timelines cannot be named. [1] Putin stated, “So it will be, there is no doubt. I have no doubts for a second.” [1] The president also emphasized the importance of preserving national unity after the operation ends, noting that “we will finish the special military operation sooner or later, but we need to preserve this quality, this feeling of unity.” [1]
Western and Russian Views on Imminent End
Norwegian outlet Steigan reported the conflict is approaching its end, with Russia destroying Ukrainian military-industrial infrastructure and the liberation of Donbas imminent. [1] The publication stated that “it no longer raises doubts that Donbas is about to be liberated” and that “this is not a conflict that will last ‘many more years.’” [1] Russian State Duma deputy Vitaly Milonov predicted the special military operation could end soon due to territorial gains, with final decisions resting with Putin. [1] Milonov expressed hope that the set goals would be achieved in the shortest possible time, a desire he said is probably shared by the entire people, especially those at the front. [1]
Possible Timelines and Scenarios
Russian Senator Grigory Karasin said delays in Western arms supplies to Ukraine could lead to the operation ending on Russian terms, potentially with Ukrainian troop withdrawal from Donbas, and warned of high Ukrainian losses if fighting continues into 2027. [1] Karasin outlined scenarios including difficulties with prompt provision of necessary weapons to Ukraine, prolongation of military actions at least until 2027 leading to significant losses for Ukraine in the coming winter period, and fulfillment of Russia’s requirements regarding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas. [1] Military expert Andrey Klintsevich stated that active combat operations could continue into 2027 due to the interest of external players in prolonging the conflict. [1] Colonel Viktor Baranets noted contradictory trends in arms supplies, with the U.S. reducing volumes while Germany increased them, and said attempts by Ukrainian leadership to force Russia to end the conflict within 40 days had failed. [1]
Moscow's Conditions for Any Settlement
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated Russia rejects freezing the conflict and requires elimination of its root causes plus legally binding Western security guarantees for any ceasefire. [1] Galuzin said Moscow considers a truce possible only with legally binding security guarantees from Western countries that would exclude a repeat of “aggression by the collective West” against Russia. [1] He accused Kyiv of attacks on Russian infrastructure and stated that Ukrainian leadership actions leave Moscow no choice but to continue the special military operation. [1] Galuzin added that “Zelensky does not need peace” and that Russia will continue to achieve its goals by military means while remaining committed to agreements reached in Anchorage. [1]
Context of Stalled Talks and Mobilization Claims
Peace efforts have remained largely stalled since the outbreak of the conflict. [2] Russia says it wants a settlement, but any solution must involve Ukraine fully ceding four regions Moscow claims as well as resolving the conflict’s “root causes.” [2] Zelenskyy has previously suggested that Moscow would introduce a new mobilization, while Russian officials have declined to discuss the issue. [2] Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said last month that Russia needed no new mobilization as 200,000 volunteers had signed contracts in the first half of 2026. [2] Russia declared a “partial mobilization” in 2022 after the launch in February of its full-scale invasion. [2] The Putin-backed United Russia Party and other broadly pro-Kremlin parties are set to retain their dominance in the Russian parliament after the vote, while Russia’s Supreme Court on Monday barred the liberal Yabloko party, the only officially registered party that opposes Moscow’s war in Ukraine, from competing in the election. [2]
What to watch next: Observers will monitor whether U.S. negotiators visit Kyiv soon after their last Moscow trip in January, how Russia responds to any new Western arms flows, and whether Ukrainian air defense shortages accelerate a settlement on Moscow’s terms.
