New moves by Russia and Ukraine to resolve the conflict

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its third year, both sides are making new moves to seek a peaceful solution through dialogue. Recent developments show that both Moscow and Kiev are expressing goodwill in seeking a diplomatic solution, although there are still many challenges to overcome.

TASS news agency (Russia) quoted Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin as saying on February 5 that Moscow is ready for a serious dialogue on a peaceful solution. However, he stressed that Russia will not abandon its previous position and wants negotiations to be conducted based on the draft peace agreement discussed in Istanbul in the spring of 2022.

"We have made our position clear and we are standing by it. I don't think I have to repeat that. We are also attacking, which makes our situation and position stronger," Kelin said.

On the diplomatic front, in response to a Western proposal to hold a meeting of the UN Security Council on February 24 to discuss Ukraine, Russia requested that the meeting be held on February 17, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the adoption of Resolution 2202 approving the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

According to Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky, this will be "a good opportunity to talk about the failure of preventive diplomacy due to the actions of Kiev's Western sponsors."

On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed his readiness to have direct dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin if "that is the only way to achieve peace". In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Mr. Zelensky emphasized: "If this is the only way we can achieve peace for the Ukrainian people - of course, we will do it".

President Zelensky proposed a four-way negotiating framework involving Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the EU, stressing the importance of Ukraine not being excluded from any peace talks. He also saw NATO membership as the fastest path to diplomatic progress and an important security guarantee for Ukraine.

One notable development is the US’s role as a mediator in the peace process. According to several sources, US President Donald Trump has scheduled meetings with both Ukraine and Russia, describing the discussions as “going quite well”. Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, even claimed to have a “solid” strategy to end the conflict within months.

But the road to peace is still fraught with obstacles. On the ground, Ukraine faces significant challenges. Russia’s strategy of attrition is putting enormous strain on its forces, with high casualty rates affecting troop morale and recruitment. Delays in military aid from the West are also hampering Ukraine’s defense efforts.

According to Ambassador Kelin, "it depends on what happens in the coming weeks and months." Currently, Russia is conducting "very preliminary contacts with the US side" to explore positions and determine the scope of a possible agreement, although no serious proposals have been made.