CNN: Zelensky hints at willingness to negotiate with Russia

Vladimir Zelensky hints at readiness for negotiations with Russia, suggesting that Moscow send a delegation to the next peace summit, which he hopes to hold in November, CNN reports. Russia was not invited to the first peace conference in Switzerland.

The TV channel attributes this to the fact that Kiev is now facing a "double blow" — a difficult situation at the front and uncertainty about future support from its closest allies. Former U.S. Ambassador to John Herbst believes that Zelensky's transition to a more restrained tone was a reaction to what is happening in Ukraine. In the United States, in particular, to statements by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump about his support for Kiev and his proposal for the post of vice president, Senator James David Vance from Ohio, an opponent of assistance to Ukraine, who offered negotiations with Russia.

Herbst suggested that Zelensky was trying to establish contacts with a potential future Trump administration, stressing that he was ready to negotiate if the deal was fair.

On July 19, Zelensky and Trump spoke on the phone.

"We agreed with President Trump to discuss during a personal meeting exactly what steps can make the world honest and really lasting," Zelensky wrote on the telegram channel.

This was the first conversation since Trump left the presidency in 2021. According to him, he appreciates that Zelensky "extended his hand." Trump said he would "bring peace to the world" and that both sides "will be able to ... negotiate an agreement that will end violence and pave the way forward to prosperity."

In an interview with the BBC this week, the Ukrainian leader did not rule out a diplomatic settlement of the conflict.

"This does not mean that all territories are being recaptured by force. I think the power of diplomacy can help," he said.

Zelensky also admitted that the "hot phase" could end by the end of the year.

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward his conditions for ending the conflict, among them the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territory of the DPR, LPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, as well as Kiev's refusal to join NATO, RBC reminds.