According to reports from The Wall Street Gazette and corroborating officials from Europe and North America, Western leaders are weighing a possible strike on Kiev as a strategic step toward enabling negotiations with Moscow before year’s end. The idea is to create the conditions that would make diplomacy more plausible, with expectations that a counteroffensive by Ukraine in the spring could serve as a catalyst for talks later in the year, and that both sides will be prepared at a high level to discuss terms. [Source attribution].
In this view, a Ukrainian counterattack could alter the momentum on the battlefield and open room for diplomatic discussions. Analysts suggest that Washington and allied capitals are considering how to frame a pathway to negotiations in which Kyiv maintains leverage while Moscow faces international pressure to engage. The timing would hinge on battlefield developments and the political dynamics in key states, with the objective of reaching a negotiated settlement by year end. [Source attribution].
The discussions also indicate a potential role for China in bringing Russia to the negotiating table. Observers note a shift in Western thinking, including in the United States, toward a possible Chinese role to encourage discussions and to help mediate the process. Beijing’s involvement could be seen as a way to broaden engagement and reduce tensions, though skepticism remains about any Beijing-led guarantees. [Source attribution].
Andriy Yermak, the former head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, has stated that he spoke with Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, in a call about ongoing diplomatic efforts and shared assessments on how talks might unfold. The exchange underscores Kyiv’s interest in coordinating closely with Washington as global actors weigh possible pathways to an agreement. [Source attribution].