- Ukraine urges allies to maintain strict aviation sanctions on Russia.
- U.S. threatens to exit peace talks unless concrete proposals emerge.
- Russia seeks a short ceasefire while rejecting longer peace terms.
As the war in Ukraine drags on, aviation sanctions have emerged as a major pressure point on Russia. Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak revealed that Moscow has prioritized the lifting of these restrictions in back-channel negotiations.
Meanwhile, diplomatic patience in Washington is wearing thin. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance have issued warnings. They stated that without actionable peace proposals from both Moscow and Kyiv, the U.S. will withdraw from its mediator role.
“Ceasefire or Standoff: U.S. and Ukraine Push Back on Putin’s Demands”
The Kremlin’s call for a three-day ceasefire around Victory Day has been dismissed by the U.S. as insufficient and politically motivated. General Keith Kellogg, U.S. envoy for Russia-Ukraine affairs, called the offer “absurd.” He emphasized the need for a longer, verifiable ceasefire. Ukraine echoed this stance, warning that short-term truces are merely distractions to ease international pressure on Russia.
Zelensky’s administration believes Moscow’s true aim is to regain access to international airspace and aircraft resources. In an op-ed for The Guardian, Yermak stressed that aviation sanctions are hitting Russia where it hurts most, both economically and strategically. Ukraine is calling on allies not to fall for what it sees as a calculated ploy by Putin. It is masked as humanitarian concern.
U.S. leadership has shifted tone significantly in recent weeks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has tied continued American mediation to the delivery of substantive peace proposals. This hardline stance suggests the U.S. is prepared to let European powers take the lead if progress remains stalled. Rubio’s warning underscores growing domestic frustration with prolonged involvement in what is now seen as a stalemated conflict.
On the battlefield, Russian drone strikes continue to devastate Ukrainian cities. Recent attacks in Kharkiv and Dnipro resulted in dozens of injuries. These include children and a pregnant woman. These assaults undercut any sincerity in Moscow’s call for peace. They reinforce Ukrainian claims that only serious international pressure—especially via aviation sanctions—can deter Russia’s aggression.
As diplomatic options narrow and the battlefield remains active, the aviation sector has become a critical leverage point in pressuring Moscow. Ukraine and the U.S. are aligning on the belief that only sustained sanctions and serious ceasefire proposals can push the war toward resolution.
“The apparent humanitarian and economic nature of Russia’s request masks the political and military advantage that any softening of aviation sanctions would hand the Russian president and his war machine.” — Andriy Yermak
