Can Ukraine and Russia bridge the gap on peace negotiations?

Efforts to establish peace in Ukraine continue to face significant challenges, primarily due to Russia's refusal to agree to a cease-fire without a broader peace agreement. The proposed US-European plan emphasizes strengthening Ukraine's military and deploying European forces, with increased American intelligence support to deter further Russian aggression. While European leaders, along with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, advocate for a multinational peacekeeping force, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains inflexible, rejecting any cease-fire that might allow Ukraine to regroup.

Zelensky is optimistic about finalizing peace plans, suggesting these could be presented to Russia soon, although the lack of Russian participation in negotiations complicates the situation. One major sticking point is the issue of territorial concessions, which Ukraine is unwilling to accept. European nations have offered security guarantees to Ukraine, with discussions around a multinational force involving NATO members.

Despite diplomatic efforts and the US resolving many issues between Russia and Ukraine, the absence of an agreement on key points, such as land disputes, keeps the conflict unresolved. The debate over troop deployment, particularly from Germany, also remains open, adding another layer of complexity to the peace process.