Informal diplomatic contacts between Russia and Western officials have reportedly resumed, with a phased freeze of fighting along Ukraine’s front lines among the proposals under discussion. According to a report by The Economist on Thursday, earlier ceasefire roadmaps discussed in the spring stalled after the Iran conflict pushed up oil prices and strengthened Russia’s financial position, while Ukraine’s gains made any compromise harder to sell domestically.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. However, the outlet notes that informal talks with Russia have resumed, with a two-phase ceasefire among the new proposals. “There are daily contacts between Ukraine and Mr. Trump’s team. One idea under discussion is a ceasefire in two phases: First limiting hostilities to a 50-70km [31-44 miles] zone either side of the front line, then a broader agreement,” The Economist wrote. The renewed contacts come as the US increasingly views Ukraine as the side gaining the upper hand over Russia, it added. “Just as encouraging is a mood shift in Washington. Two Ukrainian narratives are beginning to take hold there: That Russia cannot be trusted and that Ukraine is a winner, not a loser,” it wrote. In May, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said Ukraine’s battlefield integration had surpassed that of the US military, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later said the US had “learned so much” from Ukraine’s drone operations.