The war is a US/NATO proxy war; Western aid prolongs it; freeze/settle

This position holds that the war in Ukraine is a US and NATO proxy war that Western aid only prolongs, and that it should be frozen and settled. Its advocates cite NATO expansion and blocked diplomacy as root causes, speak of territorial realism, a freeze along current lines of contact, and a multipolar settlement, and in Russian formulations tie peace to what Moscow calls the objectives of its special military operation, including neutrality for Ukraine and the lifting of sanctions.

Russian outlets voice it, among 14 to 23 publishers in each of the disputes over peace negotiations, Russia's war in Ukraine and Western aid to Ukraine.

It is answered by the position that Ukraine's war is a legitimate defence of its sovereignty that deserves full and sustained Western support. The sides part on whether the war is defence against aggression or a Western-driven conflict. Recent events show US envoys travelling to Moscow and Kyiv with a peace proposal, Putin restating his demands, Lavrov saying Russia is ready for talks but will not pause fighting, and Zelensky saying he is willing to meet Putin.