Secret discussions regarding a limited ceasefire in Ukraine have been put on hold. According to various U.S. media reports, these conversations were taking place in Doha, Qatar, with the primary goal of protecting critical infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants, from further attacks. The focus was not on a complete ceasefire, but rather on avoiding strikes on particularly vulnerable targets.
It has been reported that these talks were interrupted following a significant Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region of Russian territory earlier this month. The Ukrainian military claims to have captured over 1,000 square kilometers in this operation, marking the first such offensive against Russia since World War II. The Kursk area is known for housing some of Russia’s most important nuclear power plants.
Thus far, the dialogue regarding a partial ceasefire has been informal, with the parties communicating through intermediaries rather than direct negotiations. The Russian government, which initiated the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has condemned the Ukrainian offensive as an escalation of the conflict.
Mykhajlo Podolijak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that Ukraine’s recent gains should be leveraged as a strategic advantage in future negotiations with Russia.