U.S. urges Russia and Ukraine to stop civilian strikes and resume talks

The United States has urged Russia and Ukraine to cease attacks on civilian areas and restart negotiations, according to a statement from U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dan Negrea during a Security Council meeting on August 24, reported Ukrinform. Negrea emphasized the U.S. support for President Donald Trump's plea for an immediate ceasefire and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, highlighting the growing number of civilian deaths following each fresh strike.

"We plead with both parties to cease any strikes that target or endanger civilian vessels," Negrea stated. "It is wasteful to continue losing the lives of innocent civilians when there is no military resolution to this war." He further called for Russia and Ukraine to "return to the negotiating table" and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to aiding Ukraine's transition into a sovereign and prosperous nation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that Kyiv, in collaboration with U.S. and European officials, had crafted a joint plan to put an end to the war, which encompasses a ceasefire, a mutual withdrawal of Russian and Ukrainian forces from the front line, and the establishment of a buffer zone. A Vatican official arrived in Russia on August 24, speculatively delivering the peace proposal to Moscow, with Vatican Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher set to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on August 25.

However, the likelihood of a swift resolution to the negotiations remains slim, as Russia has historically dismissed comparable initiatives and Lavrov affirmed Moscow's intention to persist with the war. Zelenskyy announced on August 11 that Ukraine had forwarded proposals to the U.S., detailing additional measures to intensify pressure on Russia and bring the conflict to a close.

The president claimed to have received a report from the negotiating team concerning the advancement of talks with the American side. "We have communicated our proposals to the American side," Zelenskyy stated. The president expressed hope that the U.S. could bolster Ukraine's air defenses and utilize its influence to coerce Moscow into altering its stance and curbing the war's escalation.

During a CNN interview on August 12, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to President Trump's team for their ongoing efforts, noting that Putin remains unwilling to terminate the war and that insufficient pressure is being exerted on him. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov revealed on August 13 that Moscow had yet to receive the new peace proposals submitted by Kyiv to Washington.