Washington, D.C. — Ukraine and the United States have aligned on a new package of peace proposals to present to Russia, with a partial air ceasefire forming the central element of the plan, according to Reuters.
The proposals, developed by Ukrainian and US officials, aim to halt aerial attacks by both sides in an effort to reduce escalation and create conditions for broader peace negotiations. A Ukrainian source told Reuters that the proposal reflects the strategic interests of both countries, noting that Ukraine faces a shortage of air defence interceptors, while Russia has become increasingly vulnerable to long-range Ukrainian strikes targeting oil refineries and defence-related facilities.
A US official said Washington believes the Kremlin may now be more receptive to an air ceasefire than it was several months ago, raising cautious hopes that renewed diplomatic efforts could gain traction.
The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are scheduled to meet in Washington on Tuesday. According to a White House official, the meeting is expected to focus on the latest peace initiative and ongoing US support for Ukraine.
A Ukrainian source said President Zelensky is keen to travel to Washington, although his office was still awaiting final confirmation of President Trump’s schedule. Zelensky is also expected to attend a memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington on Tuesday, ahead of the senator’s funeral in South Carolina on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated on 23 July that Russia remains open to negotiations. However, Ukrainian officials remain sceptical, pointing to Moscow’s rejection of previous ceasefire proposals and questioning whether the Kremlin is genuinely prepared to end the war.
On the issue of direct talks between Presidents Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin has continued to reject proposals for meetings in neutral countries, instead insisting that Zelensky travel to Russia. Ukrainian officials view the demand as an obstacle to meaningful negotiations rather than a genuine invitation to engage in peace talks.
