A new diplomatic initiative: Zelensky calls for a peace summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has initiated a new peace summit for November, with Russia also invited to participate. Behind closed doors, representatives from the U.S. and Europe are questioning whether the exhausted armed forces of Ukraine and Russia might be leaning towards a ceasefire. Simultaneously, Western diplomats are discussing what defensive alliances their nations could offer Ukraine to support a resolution. This intense discussion suggests that the willingness for peace talks between Ukraine and its allies is gradually growing. However, current decisive diplomatic efforts are aimed at shaping the conflict on the battlefield in favor of Ukraine. According to Ukrainian and Western officials, Vladimir Putin continues to show no signs of wanting to engage in serious peace talks. American and European officials emphasize that Ukraine must build on its military successes to bring Putin to the negotiating table and to ensure a strong negotiating position if talks occur. The recent successes of the Ukrainian armed forces, including the occupation of Russian territory in Kursk, have surprised both Russia and Ukraine's Western partners. Moreover, Ukraine is increasingly targeting Russian oil facilities and has largely neutralized the Russian Black Sea fleet. At the center of this week's diplomatic discussions is whether the U.S., the U.K., and France should allow Ukraine to use the long-range missiles they supplied for attacks deep within Russian territory. Currently, these missiles may only be used for military targets just beyond the Russian border.