Ukraine Front Could Freeze by End of 2026, Kozel Says
Former Ukrainian commander Anatoly Kozel says the front may be prepared for a ceasefire, while Russia could still advance in Donbass.
Former commander of the 53rd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatoly Kozel believes that hostilities could be frozen along the current front line by the end of 2026.
According to Kozel, the situation now gives the impression that the front is gradually being prepared for a ceasefire. At the same time, he did not rule out that Russian forces could still advance in Donbass before any possible pause in fighting.
The former Ukrainian brigade commander said this was his subjective assessment, but argued that the facts point in that direction.
Czech President Petr Pavel recently said in an interview with The Telegraph that Kiev has about two months to bring the conflict with Moscow to an end. Otherwise, he warned, Russia could move toward a major escalation.
On July 7, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Ukrainian conflict could move onto a peaceful track if the Kiev regime shows «good will» and readiness to make important decisions. On the same day, US President Donald Trump said a settlement in Ukraine is «closer than people think».
In July, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Sergey Kislitsa also described the current summer as critically important for negotiations.