In Ukraine, discussions about peace talks are gaining traction as the conflict with Russia persists. The shift in attitude reflects growing interest in finding diplomatic solutions amidst the ongoing violence and challenges posed by the war.

Several conditions should serve as the basis for peace negotiations with Russia, according to Oleksandr Antybysh of Kyiv, Ukraine.

The soldier with a beard enumerated the requirements on his fingers, stating that Ukraine must revert to its acknowledged international borders and Russia is prohibited from organizing military exercises within 300km (186 miles) of Ukraine’s boundaries.

Antybysh, a co-leader of a volunteer organization that creates tools for swift ammunition loading in Chernihiv (a city located in northern Ukraine), expressed his desire to establish an international commission responsible for determining and compensating all the material and emotional losses. He shared these sentiments with Al Jazeera news outlet.

However, with Moscow’s gradual and violent progress in Ukraine’s southeast and Kyiv boldly invading western Russia, the likelihood of achieving such circumstances appears far off.

Thousands of minimally trained soldiers are being deployed by Russia to advance through Ukrainian defenses, while glide bombs relentlessly bombard besieged towns and villages.

Despite denying the possibility of peace talks for over two years, the Ukrainian president has cautiously expressed interest in discussing a settlement with Moscow in recent months.

During the middle of July, Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed that Russia be included in the second round of a peace summit to be held in Switzerland.

Representatives from 92 nations were in attendance during the first round, which occurred mid-June at Burgenstock resort; however, Russian diplomats did not receive an invitation.

Zelenskyy stated to the BBC that “force should not be used” in order for all territories, including those currently occupied, to be returned. This announcement was made two days after his initial statement.

According to reports, he added that diplomacy could be instrumental in exerting influence.

The words he speaks showcase an increasingly common viewpoint among Ukrainians who have wearied of war. They arise to the blaring cries of air raid sirens or the jarring sound of explosions and search for matches and power banks amidst frequent, extended periods without electricity. Additionally, they mourn lost soldiers that were either friends or family members due to death or injury from battle.

The Zerkalo Tizhnya news outlet released an opinion poll in mid-July indicating that the number of Ukrainians willing to engage in peace talks has reached 44 percent, marking the highest level since February 2022 when Russia launched a comprehensive invasion.

A comparable survey showed that just 23 percent of Ukrainians were in favor of these negotiations back in May 2023. This was during a time when Ukraine celebrated Russia’s withdrawal from important regions by the end of 2022 and had high confidence in an upcoming counterattack.

However, the summer counterattack of the previous year failed due to an untargeted and diverse attempt against strongly protected Russian positions spanning over 1,000km (600 miles), a scarcity in Ukrainian military personnel, and extended holdups with Western weapons and ammunition deliveries.

Despite Russia’s gains being less than 1,300 sq km (500 sq miles), mostly in Donetsk’s southeastern region, Ukraine has continued to lose ground throughout this year.