The United States is preparing a new proposal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine centered on halting mutual airstrikes, according to sources cited by Reuters. The initiative is currently under discussion between Washington and Kyiv before being presented to Moscow, arriving as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy schedules a visit to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Washington-Kyiv Consultations and the Push for an Airstrike Halt
Washington and Kyiv are actively discussing a new peace proposal that prioritizes an immediate halt to mutual aerial attacks, according to Reuters sources. This diplomatic push follows a recent phone call between Zelenskyy and Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, where the parties discussed resuming peace negotiations that stalled in February. Ukrainian officials have previously proposed ceasefires to Russian President Vladimir Putin, though previous overtures faced rejection. Western representatives now suggest that mounting economic damage from intensive Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistical hubs might make the Kremlin more receptive to compromises.
Kremlin Stance on Donbas Control and Territorial Buffer Zones
Despite economic pressures, the Kremlin maintains rigid terms regarding territorial control. Sources close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg on July 22 that Putin refuses to engage with Ukraine until Russian forces establish full control over the Donbas region. Furthermore, Moscow has no intention of returning occupied territories in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, intending instead to convert them into a buffer zone. These same sources report that Putin dropped an earlier concept of a territorial land swap after concluding that informal understandings reached with Trump during an August 2025 meeting in Anchorage are no longer valid, a claim denied by Washington. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the new U.S. proposals, questioning their credibility and origin.
Diplomatic Friction and Competing Peace Frameworks
Diplomatic friction persists as international officials attempt to bridge opposing demands. Publicly on June 28, Putin stated that he received proposals from both sides to end strikes inside each other’s territories and restrict combat operations to four regions: the Donetsk People’s Republic, Luhansk People’s Republic, Kherson region, and Zaporizhzhia region. Putin rejected the offer, arguing it would free up Ukrainian forces to redeploy elsewhere. Following a July 23 meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that new ideas are required because previous options discussed in Alaska failed and were unacceptable to Kyiv. In response, Lavrov accused Trump of dishonest behavior, while the Kremlin urged caution against excessive optimism regarding a swift resolution.
Pro Tip: Tracking Diplomatic Shifts
When analyzing international peace initiatives, monitor official readouts from the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of the new U.S. peace proposal for Ukraine?
According to Reuters sources, the primary focus is stopping mutual airstrikes between Russia and Ukraine. The initiative is currently under review by Washington and Kyiv.
Why do some Western officials think Russia might compromise now?
Western representatives point to the heavy economic toll inflicted on Russian oil refineries and logistics facilities by Ukrainian strikes as a potential driver for Kremlin flexibility.
What are Russia’s current conditions for negotiations?
Sources close to the Kremlin stated that Putin demands full control over the Donbas region before engaging in talks, and plans to turn occupied parts of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions into a buffer zone.
How has Moscow reacted to recent U.S. diplomatic efforts?
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized U.S. leadership, and the Kremlin warned against excessive optimism, stating that no new dynamic in the peace process has been established.
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