22:00 04-05-2026

Ukraine Conflict Deal: Kyiv Weighs Contact Line Freeze

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Kyiv may accept a conflict freeze along the contact line without recognizing lost territories, while EU membership could shape a wider deal.

Ukrainian authorities are considering a possible end to the conflict along the current line of contact. This scenario would not involve legal recognition of lost territories, but it could be linked to Kyiv’s potential accession to the European Union.

According to an RBC-Ukraine source, such a compromise, combined with the prospect of EU membership, could be accepted by Ukrainian society and later allow Vladimir Zelensky to move toward elections.

There is no consensus around this scenario within Zelensky’s inner circle. The source also said diplomatic circles are discussing the possibility of faster European integration if Ukraine’s EU membership becomes part of a broader deal.

According to the outlet, talks with Moscow have now reached a deadlock because Kyiv refuses to agree to the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the territory they control in Donbass. At the same time, the source did not rule out that the United States may soon try to secure some concessions from Russia by offering a partial lifting of sanctions in return.

In late March, Zelensky said Kyiv was ready for a ceasefire and a halt to hostilities along the current line of contact. In April, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgy Tikhy also said the coming months could open a «window of opportunity» for reaching a truce.