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Ukraine war: Is now a good time to negotiate?

Former Obama advisor says we 'need to begin to set the table for a diplomatic endgame' but neither side is quite ready to come to the table yet.

As Ukraine's President Zelensky points to the Russian withdrawal from Kherson as a moment in history, should he also see it as a strategic opportunity... a chance to engage in diplomacy while he's on the ascendancy in the conflict?聽

There have been no peace talks between Russians and Ukrainians since the early weeks of the invasion, although both sides did agree a UN-brokered grain deal in July.

US media recently claimed that American officials had encouraged Ukraine's leaders to soften their stance on negotiating.

That was also the implication of remarks made by General Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff in Washington, who's spoken of "the possibility for some diplomatic solutions".聽 "Seize the moment", he said in a speech in New York.

Charles Kupchun is a former advisor to President Obama and professor of international relations at Georgetown university....does he echo Mark Milley's advice?

Photo shows: Celebrations in Kiev following Ukraine's recapture of Kherson. Credit: Reuters

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