Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire along the current front line, but without recognizing the loss of territories, in exchange for security guarantees from the United States and the possibility of joining the European Union, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reports.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Italy for the second time in a month, where he plans to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Malone. He accepted an invitation to visit Rome on the evening of October 9, as a leadership meeting in Ramstein did not take place. During his visit, Zelensky will also meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace and visit the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis.
This activity of the president demonstrates his desire to find a solution that will ensure peace for Ukraine and protect it from future aggression from Russia. Zelensky noted that Ukraine has a real opportunity to achieve peace and stability already in the fall and winter. He emphasized that the situation on the front opens up opportunities for decisive action to end the war by 2025.
Ukrainian forces currently have a numerical advantage in Donbas, but the situation surrounding the invasion of Kursk Oblast is complicated. The invasion, analysts say, was intended to boost morale and gain support from allies. However, significant Ukrainian forces have been isolated in Russian territory, limiting the ability to provide assistance in Donbas.
Zelensky is trying to convince the Europeans to act on the political level. He knows that he will not be able to officially give up the occupied territories, but he is ready for a ceasefire along the current line, without recognizing the new borders, in exchange for commitments from the West. These are security guarantees similar to those that the United States has provided to Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.
However, these efforts are complicated by the fact that Vladimir Putin is not satisfied with the territories already seized. The Kremlin seeks to destabilize Ukraine and control it politically. Russia’s defense budget continues to grow and is projected to reach $130 billion by 2025. Oil export revenues in 2024 will exceed pre-war levels. In a situation where sanctions are not weakening the Russian military machine, Putin has no reason to start peace talks.
