#De Escalation

At a briefing in New York, Erdogan announced that Turkey has stepped up its efforts to restore the grain corridor in the Black Sea and that it received a positive response from Zelensky. Ankara also handed Kyiv and Moscow a de-escalation plan.

At the sixth Crimea Platform summit, Zelensky declared that the return of Crimea to Ukraine is a necessary condition for normalization and called on Russia to take real steps toward de-escalation in the Black Sea.

Trump's special envoys Witkoff and Kushner will discuss Ukraine's de-escalation proposals with Ukraine and the EU "troika" in New York. Zelensky named the condition for an energy ceasefire.

After meeting with Trump in New York, Zelensky stated that US "hellish sanctions" could be applied against Russia if Moscow does not show a readiness for de-escalation, and that tariffs of up to 100% could be introduced for countries buying Russian oil.

U.S. Vice President Vance called the settlement of the war in Ukraine a matter of time and announced a Trump–Zelensky meeting on September 22–23 in New York. Kyiv confirmed its readiness for de-escalation in exchange for reciprocal steps by Moscow.

Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready to stop strikes on Russian refineries if Moscow ceases to attack the energy sector, critical infrastructure, and food exports. The discussion of the conditions may take place at the UN General Assembly.

A Ukrainian source in the government stated that Kyiv has been ready for de-escalation from the very beginning, but the key question is Russia’s readiness. Trump’s statement on an energy ceasefire may be an attempt to put both sides in a fait accompli situation.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow on 25 August without announcement aboard a C-17A aircraft. Peskov called the visit 'services contacts,' but media report a warning on mobilization and a request for a pause in strikes on 24–26 August.