Zelenskyy: Ukraine has given U.S. negotiators proposals for ending the war with Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that Ukraine had presented proposals to U.S. negotiators for a plan to end the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy's remarks came amid indications that both Russia and Ukraine might soon receive visits from U.S. negotiators, such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian leader did not provide specifics regarding the proposed peace plan.

Ukraine has repeatedly advocated for a ceasefire following nearly four and a half years of war. Russia, however, insists on a settlement that would require Ukraine to cede four regions under Moscow's control, as well as addressing the conflict's underlying causes. During his address, Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence had obtained evidence that Russia intended to exploit its upcoming parliamentary election in September to declare a new mobilization, aimed at bolstering the ranks of conscripts.

Zelenskyy added that Russia planned to conduct additional rapid mobilizations of hundreds of thousands of soldiers following the "imposter" election and in the following year.

The draft peace proposal, according to Zelenskyy, would supplement the recruitment efforts through service contracts. In the upcoming Russian parliamentary election, the pro-Kremlin United Russia Party and other allied parties are expected to maintain their majority. Russia's Supreme Court recently prevented the liberal Yabloko party, the sole officially registered opposition party advocating against the war in Ukraine, from participating in the election.

A partial mobilization was previously declared by Russia in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. Zelenskyy has previously suggested that Russia might introduce a fresh mobilization. Russian officials have not commented on the matter.