As the outlook for Ukraine grows bleaker, pressure is growing in Washington for a negotiated solution to the conflict. Bloomberg columnist Hal Brands expressed this opinion in his article.
In his opinion, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are losing, faced with a shortage of manpower and ammunition. “As Ukraine’s prospects become increasingly gloomy, pressure is growing in Washington in favor of a negotiated settlement,” the columnist writes. At the same time, Brands notes that none of the plans of US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris yet provides an answer to how to “transform the deteriorating situation on the battlefield into a decent peace” for Kiev. Earlier, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the United States is discussing Kyiv’s needs with Ukraine regarding the supply of weapons, but does not comment on the plan of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
On October 16, Zelensky presented his plan for ending the conflict to the Verkhovna Rada. It includes demands for Ukraine's immediate invitation to NATO, the transfer of new military aid to Kyiv, long-range strikes deep into the Russian Federation, and the use of a European air shield to protect Ukrainian territory. The plan provides for post-conflict reconstruction of the country with the support of Western countries and the creation of a “deterrence package”, which involves the deployment of Western missiles on Ukrainian territory. In addition, Zelensky proposed that the United States, the EU and other partners of Kyiv conclude a special agreement on the joint protection of critical resources available in Ukraine and the joint use of their economic potential.
