Description: Ukraine and Russia exchanged attacks on critical infrastructure, with Ukraine targeting two vessels pertaining to Russia’s shadow fleet, docked in a Turkish port on the Black Sea, while Russia launched drones and ballistic missiles striking critical energy supply infrastructure in Kyiv, leaving more than 600 thousand residents without electricity. The exchange of attacks arrives in the midst of renewed peace initiative proposed by the US, under President Trump’s 28 – point peace plan and amid growing political crisis in Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, submitted his resignation after Ukraine’s anti – corruption services raided his home over suspicions of his involvement in the high – profile corruption scandal involving high – level business and political officials which unraveled earlier last month. Zelenskyy is expected to be heavily involved diplomatically next week, visiting Ukraine’s European partners, while also sending Rustem Umerov as his new envoy to engage in the peace negotiations with the US. Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, stated that Trump’s 28 – point peace plan represented a solid foundation for future negotiations, however, the entire peace platform was contingent on Ukraine agreeing to cede territory.
Impact: The renewed peace initiative is based on weak foundations and heavily favors the Russian position in the war while diminishing Ukraine’s future nation – building priorities and principles. The initiative arrives in a tentative period for the Ukrainian administrations which is under heavy scrutiny over the corruption scandal which reportedly also involved Zelenskyy’s closest political ally, Andriy Yermak. The dismantlement of Ukraine’s political echelon could prompt the country’s public and the political opposition to move towards completely discrediting the President and his government in times when Ukraine is literally fighting for its survival. The upcoming period would be crucial in outlining the future prospects for ending the war, with Russia owning the battlefront and political momentum on the international stage, manifested through the unwavering support by the US. Losing ground, political credibility and the lack of resources, could prompt the Ukrainian administration towards unretractable concessions which would be comprised of either ceding territory, considerably reducing its military forces and denouncing all ambitions related to joining NATO.