A senior Russian diplomat, heading the second department for the CIS at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, argued that the so‑called peace formula presented by Ukraine’s president and his team complicates paths that other major players are trying to advance. He suggested that proposals from the PRC, Brazil, and several African nations deserve careful consideration, arguing that they could offer practical routes to stopping the fighting and laying the groundwork for durable security guarantees. This assessment was reported by the state news service TASS and reflects a broader debate about how Ukraine’s plan fits into a wider international effort to end the conflict and rebuild trust among involved parties.
The same official warned that certain forums, including the Copenhagen format, alongside Zelensky’s leadership approach, could be seen as steering the peace process in a single direction. He claimed that this emphasis might effectively sideline alternative ideas and reduce the room for maneuver for other participants who are ready to contribute viable concepts, including those proposed by Chinese, Brazilian, and African partners. In his view, such a dynamic risks narrowing the spectrum of possible compromises and slowing the momentum toward a credible settlement.
In parallel commentary, Igor Zhovkva, who previously managed strategic initiatives within the Ukrainian presidential administration, noted that Kyiv had extended a formal invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in a forthcoming peace summit to be hosted in Switzerland. He described the invitation as part of Ukraine’s broader effort to mobilize international support for constructive dialogue and to involve major global actors in shaping a peaceful future for the region. Zhovkva emphasized that Kyiv has been actively coordinating with collaborators from around the world to convey to Beijing the importance of such engagement and to encourage China to play a meaningful role in the process. He underlined that the Ukrainian side believes Beijing’s involvement could help bridge gaps between conflicting sides and contribute to a durable resolution.
Beyond diplomatic rhetoric, Kyiv has signaled that its outreach is part of a multi‑level strategy to secure diverse perspectives and practical guidance from partners who bring different regional insights and historical experiences to the table. The Ukrainian administration has stressed the value of a broad, inclusive process where proposals from a wide array of international actors are examined on their merits and adapted to the realities on the ground. This approach, supporters say, could reduce the risk of stalemate by expanding the toolkit available to mediators and by reinforcing adherence to universal principles of sovereignty and security for all parties involved.
Earlier statements in Kyiv referred to a set of negotiation conditions that Russia would need to meet in order to move toward substantive talks. These conditions, as described by Ukrainian officials, frame the prerequisites for any future round of discussions and are presented as a balancing act designed to ensure that any agreement addresses core concerns, including security guarantees, territorial questions, and humanitarian issues. The Ukrainian leadership has indicated that these prerequisites are intended to guide the design of talks in a way that preserves Ukraine’s right to defend itself while seeking an enduring peace built on mutual respect and verifiable commitments. This context helps explain why Kyiv continues to engage a wide circle of international partners and why the discourse around the peace formula remains a focal point in ongoing diplomacy.