It is very interesting and ironic, but not totally unexpected, that suddenly with the prospect of a Trump White House on the horizon there is corresponding renewed talk of Ukraine-Russia negotiations and headlines declaring the potential for peace. For example, a Saturday CNN headline proclaimed, "Facing difficult frontline reality and the prospect of Trump in the White House, Zelensky hints at negotiations with Russia."

The report details the following of a recent address to the nation from Zelensky, who "struck an unusually subdued tone as he addressed his nation this week, hinting at a willingness to negotiate with Russia for the first time since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion more than two years ago."

Importantly, and as we also noted last week, "Zelensky suggested Moscow should send a delegation to the next peace summit that he hopes to hold in November. Russia was not invited to the previous peace conference, held in Switzerland last month, as Zelensky said any talks could only happen after a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine," CNN continues. Additionally, Zelensky and Trump days ago had "a very good call" which focused on ways forward to peace.