Zelenskyy proposes three ceasefire options to Russia, adviser says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed three possible ceasefire options to Russia as part of efforts to advance peace negotiations, according to an adviser in the Ukrainian presidential administration.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of Zelenskyy's office, said the Ukrainian president had put forward proposals for an air ceasefire, a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure and a freeze in hostilities along the front line, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media.

Podolyak also said Zelenskyy was prepared to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity earlier in July, when asked if Ukraine would be willing to surrender territory it controls as part of a peace deal with Russia, Zelenskyy reiterated that a ceasefire is required before any negotiations can move forward.

The Ukrainian leader called for a face-to-face meeting between himself and Vladimir Putin in early June, writing in an open letter to the Russian president that it would be "wrong to simply wait" until the war in Europe became the focus of US attention once more. 

By Sabina Mammadli