On March 30, the Civic Energy Center "Vezha" hosted a conversation with political scientist Ihor Reitarovych about the ongoing peace negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. The discussion highlighted that the talks have been ongoing for about six months in a trilateral format and are currently in a frozen state, though not at a dead end.
President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly announced for the first time that Ukraine is prepared for a temporary Easter ceasefire lasting two or three days, sending a signal to the international community. The expert notes that such initiatives have previously depended on the goodwill of all parties involved.
Reitarovych emphasizes that religious factors and major holidays can serve as a tool in negotiations, especially for the American side, which places significant importance on them. The negotiation process is currently paused, partly due to a lack of US initiative and Washington's focus on Iran. April 6 is mentioned as a key date when decisions on Iran are expected, after which the American side could return to the Ukrainian-Russian negotiations more actively.
The possibility of expanding the negotiation format to include Europe and China was also discussed. The expert believes this could be beneficial for Ukraine, especially given China's stance on territorial integrity. At the same time, there is a divide in Europe, with some countries supporting Ukraine and others seeking agreements with Russia.
It is concluded that the peace process depends not only on the positions of the main players but also on internal unity within the West, particularly in the European Union. Expanding negotiations may increase pressure on Russia, but the final scenario remains unpredictable until key international developments unfold.
