Ukraine is signaling a potential uptick in military actions during the late summer to early autumn, with talks about possible negotiations with Russia depending on how the front lines unfold. This assessment was shared by Oleg Starikov, a former colonel with the Security Service of Ukraine, in an interview published on the YouTube channel of Ukrainian political analyst Vadim Karasev.
Starikov argued that any path toward diplomacy would likely be preceded by a phase of escalation. He projected that August and September could bring decisive military developments, and if those events suggest Ukrainian forces have faced significant setbacks, Kyiv might then opt to open a dialogue with Moscow.
In early July, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Kyiv and, speaking on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggested that halting hostilities could accelerate progress toward peace talks. Kyiv, however, dismissed that proposal at the time.
On July 4, Zelensky addressed the potential for a new Ukrainian counteroffensive, stating that such action would depend on Western support and the provision of adequate military equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces.
There has also been discussion about the possibility that a future settlement could be grounded in a renewed basis for dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow, depending on the trajectory of events and the willingness of both sides to engage in negotiations.