Ukraine and Russia may reach an energy truce for the winter

Ukraine and Russia may agree to a limited ceasefire by winter or at the start of the heating season. One possible option is a mutual cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure. An informed source told RBC-Ukraine this while commenting on the recent trips to Moscow by U.S. President's special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to the source, the negotiations—which involved U.S. representatives, Special Representative Kirill Dmitriev, and Vladimir Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov—have created additional room for diplomacy for the Kremlin. At the same time, the source does not expect a significant breakthrough before the Russian State Duma elections, scheduled for September 18–20. After the elections, the source predicts, a trilateral or even quadrilateral summit involving certain European countries could take place. The meeting could be held in the Persian Gulf states. 'Obviously, by winter or during the winter, there is a possibility of at least a limited ceasefire—for example, without mutual strikes on energy facilities. And then opportunities for a further settlement may arise,' the source noted. He also described the arguments the U.S. side used in its talks with Putin. According to the source, Washington emphasized that Russia's previous attempts to intensify the escalation—particularly during its winter campaigns—did not yield the practical results Moscow desired and did not force Ukraine to cease its resistance. Source: RBC-Ukraine Following the meeting in Kyiv, Witkoff announced peace talks in the Ukraine-Europe-U.S. format. In addition to issues regarding the cessation of hostilities and security guarantees, the parties discussed the country's post-war recovery and the mobilization of resources for reconstruction, as well as economic guarantees intended to prevent the outbreak of another war. Read us on Telegram and Sends Download our app