Zelensky: De-escalation likely this winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the US website Axios that Russia had informed the envoys of US President Donald Trump of its readiness to begin negotiations on the war in Ukraine, pointing to the possibility of a “de-escalation” during the winter.

He noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin “needs Trump and does not want to anger him,” particularly ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for early November. Consequently, the Kremlin has shown “willingness to engage in dialogue,” according to Zelenskyy, citing confirmation from the two US envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who visited Moscow and Kyiv respectively over the weekend to meet with the two presidents.

Axios noted that among the pathways Washington has proposed to initiate a peace process is the possibility of a “de-escalation” before or during the winter season.