Journalist Vitaliy Portnikov stated this on Espreso TV."There can be no real agreements to end the Russia–Ukraine war in the foreseeable future. The only possible outcome, at some point, is a truce. For example, an aerial truce – when Russia decides it has destroyed everything it wanted and can postpone its aerial terror against civilians. Or there could be a ceasefire along the line of contact, but Ukraine would still consider Russia an occupier, while the Kremlin would claim Ukraine controls territories that are constitutionally part of the Russian Federation. Such a truce would be pregnant with an even bigger war at any moment – perhaps when Trump is U.S. president, or after he leaves the White House," Portnikov explained.The journalist suggested that a temporary halt to the war is quite possible, but there is no point in talking about a complete end to the Russia–Ukraine war."Today, there are objectively no grounds to believe the situation will develop differently. There is no objective reason to think the Russia–Ukraine war could end. This war could have been prevented. But once it began, it became impossible to stop. What can be done then? It can be paused, and preparations can be made for a new war by turning the country into a fortress, intensifying work in the defense industry, eliminating the state’s social programs entirely, and directing all funds to the army and the military-industrial complex, creating conditions for more effective mobilization. In other words, putting the country on a permanent war footing. The war can be paused. When exactly – I do not know," he stressed.On Wednesday, August 6, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow, where he met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Their dialogue lasted about three hours. According to the U.S. president, the talks were productive.That same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation joined by European leaders. Later, at a briefing, Trump said there was a high chance of a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the near future.On August 7, Zelenskyy held talks with Scholz, Macron, and von der Leyen regarding the peace process. Meanwhile, the New York Post reported that the U.S. president would hold negotiations with Russia's Putin if the latter agreed to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not a mandatory condition for negotiations with Putin.