A US-mediated peace in Ukraine

Conditions Moscow has set for a ceasefire will weigh heavy on Kyiv and its European allies

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The conditional ceasefire agreement that Washington and Moscow are discussing is the most serious attempt to de-escalate the three-year-long war between Russia and Ukraine.

Under it, Russia will desist from bombing Ukraine's energy infrastructure for the next 30 days provided the West accedes to Moscow's long list of demands, including suspension of all military aid to Kyiv. Any pause in the war is welcome though Kyiv has accused Moscow of trying to scuttle the peace talks: President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Wednesday that Russia fired several missiles and drones into Ukraine and attacked a power facility linked to the latter's railways.

Washington has said further talks will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.