US President Donald Trump's administration has launched a new diplomatic initiative to achieve a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. While Washington wants attacks on energy infrastructure to be stopped and grain shipments to be secured, Russian President Vladimir Putin demands the lifting of sanctions and an end to attacks on Russian ships. Europe, on the other hand, is worried that Moscow is trying to weaken the support given to Ukraine through sabotage activities.
According to the news by Axios, based on US and Ukrainian officials, Trump's special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet with the Ukrainian delegation and bring up new proposals. Washington aims to create a common negotiation ground that both sides can evaluate.
"Everyone is worried about the winter. If the war doesn't stop, the winter will be difficult. That's why the United States is trying to mediate between the two sides with the goal of formulating a common proposal," a White House source told Axios.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kiev is talking with Washington about stopping attacks on energy facilities and protecting grain shipments. However, Zelenski did not make a definitive assessment about the possibility of an agreement.
"I am not yet ready to say what could be realistic or more realistic," Zelenski said.
In addition to the ceasefire initiative, the US administration plans to include Ukraine's security guarantees and post-war economic recovery on the negotiation agenda.
A senior US official told NewsNation that Washington is preparing a "new, unified proposal" covering key topics in the conflict.
A source speaking to Axios stated that Witkoff and Kushner considered going to Russia's capital, Moscow, in late October and meeting with Putin. However, the visit has not been finalized yet.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a statement on October 8 that Russia wants a comprehensive solution that will provide long-term stability rather than limited agreements.
"We are not in favor of a piecemeal solution. We are in favor of a comprehensive solution that will allow a stable solution for many years, decades," Peskov said.
Peskov also agreed with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assessment that there is no clear expectation of a comprehensive peace agreement in the near future.
Moscow puts forward two conditions for a possible ceasefire in the energy field: the lifting of sanctions imposed by the West against Russia and the cessation of attacks on Russian ships.
In order to achieve a ceasefire in the field of energy and maritime transport, agreement is required on three basic issues.
First, it remains unclear to what extent the Trump administration is prepared to lift sanctions against Russia. Loosening restrictions on Russian energy products could be a controversial step for Washington.
Secondly, it is unknown whether Kiev will agree to stop attacks on Russian oil tankers and ports used for energy exports. The fact that Ukraine uses these attacks to weaken Russia's economic capacity makes compromise difficult.
Third, the two sides need to agree on a list of facilities and infrastructures that will be exempt from mutual attacks. Implementing the agreement and preventing possible violations are also among the important problems.
According to The New York Times' analysis titled "Europe is looking for ways to respond to Putin's shadow war", Russia aims to weaken the support for Ukraine by increasing its sabotage activities in European countries.
Sabotages, drone intrusions and other hybrid activities raise security concerns in Europe, the analysis said. It was emphasized that the biggest fear of European countries is that one of these actions will cause great loss of life, intentionally or accidentally.
German Marshall Fund defense expert Claudia Major said Putin aims to impose costs on countries that support Ukraine and shake the trust of European societies in their governments.
Major stated that Moscow's aim is not just to gain territory and that it wants to "show that the West cannot stand together and can be weakened from within."
Former senior NATO official Camille Grand also said that Europe should be cautious against Russia, but should not ignore threats.
