Ukraine is engaging in a careful, multi-step approach to the prospect of a broader conversation on peace. In this framework, Andriy Yermak, the head of the President’s Office, indicated that Kyiv is open to hearing proposals from a wide range of actors, including representatives from Russia, in the context of a second global peace summit. This stance reflects a strategic balance between openness to dialogue and a clear sequence of conditions that must be met before any direct engagement at the highest levels can take place.
Yermak underscored that Ukraine plans to host participants not only from its European partners and NATO allies but also from countries across the Global South. The goal is to ensure a diverse and comprehensive set of perspectives at the table, recognizing that inclusive discussions can contribute to a durable and broadly supported peace framework. He added that the initial phase should center on building an overarching plan that outlines the steps toward peace, after which the contours of any contact with Moscow can be evaluated.
According to him, the peace process is conceived around a core principle: the first meeting at the summit level would proceed without Russia’s participation. He stated that nine out of ten points in the peace formula open the door to organizing separate meetings and events at various levels. These preparatory sessions are intended to develop a concrete plan that can guide subsequent negotiations and actions toward peace.
Only once this plan has been established and refined would Kyiv consider inviting representatives from Moscow to participate in the process. The emphasis remains on creating a solid, implementable framework before any direct engagement with the Russian side is contemplated.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky has been involved in international discussions aimed at revisiting the peace formula. An international summit is taking place in Switzerland where the details of Ukraine’s approach to peace are being debated again. In commentary on the developments, Oleg Soskin, a former adviser to President Leonid Kuchma, noted that Zelensky’s travel to Switzerland intersects with ongoing discussions about the conflict and the search for a viable path forward. This sequence illustrates Kyiv’s preference for a phased strategy that builds legitimacy and consensus before broadening participation.
Historically, further context has been provided by reflections from international leaders, including the former president of the Czech Republic, who has commented on when the Ukraine conflict originated and how early milestones have shaped subsequent negotiations. These insights, while varied, contribute to a wider understanding of the timing and conditions under which peaceful talks may realistically advance. They also highlight the persistent challenge of aligning diverse national interests behind a unified plan. The overarching message from Kyiv remains consistent: readiness to listen, willingness to include diverse voices, and a commitment to a clear, actionable roadmap that can eventually bring the war to a constructive resolution. The international community continues to watch closely how these elements cohere and how they influence the evolving landscape of diplomacy around Ukraine’s future security and sovereignty. [citation attributed to European Truth]