Zelenski: Privolil bi status quo na prvi liniji

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that approximately 630 drones were launched toward the Moscow region during the night from October 21 to October 22, resulting in two injuries. The attacks occurred hours after high-level diplomatic meetings aimed at ending the war with Ukraine. Sobyanin stated via social media that the majority of the drones were destroyed by air defense systems well away from their targets, while 163 approached the city limits. In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a missile attack damaged transport infrastructure and injured six people. The Ukrainian military issued a nighttime alert regarding ballistic missiles originating from eastern Russia. These violent incidents followed intense diplomatic activity involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine. On Wednesday, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. This meeting came one day after Witkoff held discussions in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders. During the Oslo session, Zelensky proposed halting combat operations along current positions as a preliminary step toward broader negotiations. The shuttle diplomacy resulted in Russia expressing openness to continuing trilateral talks with the United States and Ukraine in November. In an interview with the American broadcaster Fox News, Zelensky explicitly stated his readiness to accept a peace agreement based on the status quo ante of the front lines. When asked if he would agree to a deal ensuring Ukraine retains 75 percent or more of its territory, regardless of how the conflict began, the Ukrainian president answered affirmatively. He described freezing the front lines and establishing a ceasefire as the absolute minimum requirement currently demanded from Russia. Zelensky characterized this approach as a genuine path to ending the war, noting that it aligns with the concept of freezing and stopping the violence previously referenced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelensky emphasized that a mere cessation of hostilities is insufficient for lasting peace. He indicated that following the implementation of a freeze, Ukraine intends to seek security guarantees from the United States and European allies. These assurances are intended to prevent future aggression by Moscow. The Ukrainian leader expressed gratitude for Washington's support and reaffirmed his commitment to diplomatic solutions, provided there are mechanisms to ensure an aggressor does not return. He also mentioned being prepared to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow takes reciprocal measures. Additionally, Zelensky renewed his call for a trilateral summit involving himself, Putin, and Trump, a format the Kremlin has previously declined. The diplomatic push contrasts with previous stances. Ukraine has repeatedly suggested halting fighting along existing frontlines, but Russia has rejected such proposals, arguing they merely provide Kyiv with a pause to rearm. Both Putin and Trump have maintained that Russian forces continue to advance. However, the Ukrainian army stopped the Russian offensive earlier this summer and pushed back troops in certain sectors. Despite these battlefield realities, the recent dialogue signals a shift in posture. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Oslo talks as positive, stating there were no unexpected or surprising developments. Witkoff carried an updated framework proposal to Putin, developed with input from Ukrainian and European partners. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev greeted Witkoff at the airport in St. Petersburg. The outcome of these exchanges includes a tentative agreement to resume trilateral negotiations in November. Zelensky specified that such a meeting should occur as soon as possible, preferably by early November. Discussions at this level could address peace proposals and potentially arrange a summit among heads of state. President Trump spoke to journalists at the White House on Wednesday, asserting that the end of the war in Ukraine has never been closer. He thanked Russia for the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American citizen detained in the country for four years. Trump noted that he had spoken with Putin regarding settling the war and believed progress was being made. His comments underscored the administration's active role in mediating the conflict after months of stalled diplomacy. The sequence of events highlights the parallel tracks of military action and negotiation. While diplomats engaged in shuttle diplomacy between Oslo and St. Petersburg, both capitals faced fresh aerial assaults. The timing suggests that military pressure continues even as political channels open. The specific number of drones targeting Moscow, cited as 630, underscores the scale of the overnight operation. Sobyanin detailed the timeframe of the launch, starting at 8:30 p.m. on October 21 and concluding at 4:00 a.m. on October 22. European leaders played a supporting role in the Oslo meeting. Attendees included Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, the European Union, and NATO. Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Trump, participated via video link. The presence of multiple international actors indicates broad engagement in the peace process. Zelensky’s willingness to discuss freezing the front lines marks a notable articulation of Ukraine's negotiating position. By framing the retention of 75 percent of territory as acceptable, he addressed questions about territorial integrity. However, he stressed that this is a temporary measure to stop immediate casualties, not a final resolution of border disputes. The demand for security guarantees remains central to Kyiv's strategy. Without such protections, Ukraine views any ceasefire as fragile. Russia’s acceptance of continued talks in November provides a near-term roadmap for diplomacy. The involvement of key figures like Witkoff and the participation of European nations suggest a coordinated effort to stabilize the situation. The release of Hubbard adds another layer to the bilateral interactions between Washington and Moscow. As the November deadline approaches, attention will turn to whether the trilateral talks can produce tangible results beyond verbal commitments. The ongoing attacks on Kyiv and Moscow serve as a reminder that the battlefield remains volatile despite diplomatic efforts.