Senior Pentagon officials have arrived in Ukraine to discuss efforts to end the war with Russia, as confirmed by the US military.
The team, led by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv upon his return from Turkey.
Reports emerged suggesting that the US and Russia may have developed a new peace plan involving substantial concessions from Ukraine, though neither Washington nor Moscow has officially acknowledged this plan.
The discussions come on the heels of a deadly missile and drone attack that left at least 26 individuals dead in Ternopil, highlighting the ongoing hostilities since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Army spokesman Colonel David Butler indicated that Secretary Driscoll's visit is a factfinding mission aimed at meeting with Ukrainian officials and exploring ways to cease hostilities.
The delegation also includes the US Army's chief of staff, General Randy George, and European Command leader, General Chris Donahue, marking a significant moment as they are the most senior US military representatives to engage with Ukraine since President Trump took office.
Images shared indicate a warm reception, with Driscoll shaking hands with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, emphasizing ongoing military cooperation.
Shmyhal mentioned in a post that discussions concentrated on further steps towards implementing defense agreements made with the US.
Concurrently, a Ukrainian official highlighted that the military operation status and potential ceasefire dialogues would dominate discussions during the visit.
This comes as reports circulate indicating that US and Russian envoys have been working on a peace plan comprising 28 points, which entail territorial concessions and reductions in Ukraine's military capacity.
While the Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has downplayed these reports, the potential implications for the ongoing conflict and Ukraine's stance remain of utmost importance.
Despite talk of a possible agreement, President Zelensky has firmly ruled out any territorial concession to Russia, raising questions about the future of peace negotiations as calls for an immediate ceasefire persist.
As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely, with prior conditions set forth by Moscow, including territorial adjustments and military limitations, remaining unchanged since before the onset of the conflict.
