On August 24, Ukrainian Independence Day, important statements were made regarding the potential end of the Russia-Ukraine war. According to reports, the US and Russia are seeking a compromise for a peaceful resolution. Washington affirms its support for Ukrainian interests, if not fully, while Moscow maintains its conditions, particularly concerning areas where pseudo-referenda were held.
In an interview with NBC News, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia recognizes Ukraine's existence if it relinquishes certain territories. Lavrov added that negotiations with Zelensky are possible only if constitutional procedures are observed, hinting at the need for new elections.
Russia has also dropped its demand for Russian to become a state language in Ukraine, only requiring the repeal of laws restricting the use of the Russian language and the rights of the Moscow Patriarchate church. In security guarantee talks, Russia demands consensus that includes its interests, possibly involving China and the UN, which raises concerns due to veto powers at the Security Council.
US Vice President J.D. Vance highlighted that Russia has abandoned plans to install a puppet regime in Kyiv and has agreed to Ukraine's territorial integrity after the war (taking into account the changes from the pseudo-referenda). Vance also emphasized the importance of direct talks with Russia regarding security guarantees, underlining the complexity and duration of future agreements.
An additional highlight was the return of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity and the decoration of US senators for their support of Ukraine. Prime Minister Yulia Svredeko stressed the importance of security guarantees based on the UN Charter and maintaining the Ukrainian military as a guarantee of sovereignty, as well as cooperation with the US in the defense sector.
Bilateral agreements were also signed between Ukraine and Canada for joint defense industry production, though direct involvement of foreign troops is not currently planned. The need to return temporarily occupied assets and ongoing support for Ukraine by international partners were emphasized.
The ongoing negotiation process remains complicated and far from over, but trends indicate increased diplomatic efforts and the formation of a new security architecture for Ukraine.
