Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently held a meeting with representatives from the ruling faction, Servant of the People. The gathering included key political figures such as parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, first deputy Oleksandr Korniienko, head of the President’s Office Kyrylo Budanov, and Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.
During the meeting, discussions centered on the ongoing peace negotiations. David Arakhamia, the faction leader, emphasized the need for tangible progress towards peace, rather than a mere cessation of hostilities, stating that it is essential to create conditions that preserve lives and strengthen international support against the aggressor.
“Ukraine requires real movement towards peace — not a freezing of the war, but the establishment of conditions to save lives and increase international pressure on the aggressor nation,” Arakhamia noted.
Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk, a member of the faction who attended the meeting, indicated that a significant portion of the discussions was dedicated to this topic. She mentioned that there is a possibility of concluding the active phase of the conflict by the end of November, contingent upon Ukraine receiving security guarantees.
“We currently have an advantage on the front that can be utilized. The main goal is to prevent Russia from deceiving us and launching new military actions after a brief pause,” Vasylevska-Smahliuk added.
Furthermore, she stated that Ukraine is awaiting the appointment of a European mediator for the peace talks and anticipates a visit from a U.S. delegation in the near future.
<pAnother source from the faction revealed that while there are hopes pinned on the negotiations, it is crucial to avoid excessive optimism regarding any potential outcomes by the end of the year. Discussions also included plans for the upcoming month of November, focusing on actions that need to be taken over the next six months to facilitate peace.
According to Danilo Hetmantsev, another member of the Servant of the People faction, the meeting also addressed issues related to mobilization and “busification.” However, he characterized the meeting not as an exchange of ideas but rather as a discussion aimed at developing common approaches to the country’s most pressing challenges.
In this context, the functioning of the parliament was also examined, particularly regarding the importance of voting on essential legislation. This week, lawmakers plan to address bills related to the taxation of parcels and digital platforms, which are in line with requirements set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Previously, some of these bills could not be brought to a vote. Additionally, a mission from the IMF is expected to visit this week to assess the progress of these reforms in Ukraine.
Vasylevska-Smahliuk stated that the president and lawmakers have agreed to demonstrate unity around the proposed bills concerning procurement and parcels.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the Servant of the People faction to discuss peace negotiations and legislative priorities. Key topics included the potential conclusion of the active phase of the conflict and upcoming IMF assessments.