Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS/Pool via REUTERS)
U.S., EU, and Ukrainian officials have developed a joint
plan to end the Russo–Ukrainian
war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Aug. 24, as Ukraine celebrated
its Independence Day.
The plan calls for a ceasefire, reciprocal withdrawal of
Russian and Ukrainian forces from the front line, and the creation of a buffer
zone.
“There are several more ideas from the American side, as far
as we know; they want to find the right moment to present them, we are waiting
for them,” The Times quoted
Zelenskyy.
The newspaper also noted that a Vatican envoy arrived in
Russia on Aug. 24, prompting speculation that he could deliver the proposals to
Russian officials. Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister,
is scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Aug. 25.
The Times added that the prospects for a swift breakthrough
in the negotiations remain low. Russia has previously rejected similar
initiatives, while Lavrov has said Moscow intends to continue the war.
Zelenskyy also said there is widespread opposition to the
war inside Russia.
“Many people in Russia want the war to end,” he said.
According to the Levada Center, considered Russia’s only
independent polling organization, two-thirds of Russians want peace
negotiations to take place.
On Aug. 13, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei
Ryabkov said Moscow was not aware of any new proposals that Kyiv had submitted
to Washington regarding the peace process.
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