‘Airport Ceasefire’ Plan Would Halt Ukraine-Russia Strikes on Aviation Hubs

Ukraine is asking Europe to help broker a limited agreement with Russia for a mutual halt to airport strikes, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Politico. Kyiv says the initiative would give Europe a concrete diplomatic role while reinforcing, not replacing, US-led peace efforts. EU officials reacted cautiously, citing doubts over Moscow’s intentions. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) speaks with Ukraine?s Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha during a G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey in Cernay-la-Ville outside Paris, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / POOL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Ukraine has asked European partners to help broker a limited agreement with Russia to halt strikes on airports, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, in a proposal aimed at giving Europe a more active role in peace diplomacy as US-led talks slow. Speaking to Politico on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Sybiha said Kyiv was seeking a “new role for Europe” in efforts to reach practical, step-by-step arrangements with Moscow. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “We probably need a new role for Europe in our peace efforts,” Sybiha said. “Perhaps we could try to settle this issue or reach a so-called airport ceasefire. Perhaps, if our European allies created a platform or, say, a special group, we could discuss it.” Under the proposal, Ukraine and Russia would mutually stop attacks on airport infrastructure. Kyiv believes Moscow may have an incentive to consider such an arrangement as major Russian aviation hubs, including Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport and St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport, become increasingly vulnerable to Ukrainian long-range strikes. The idea would not replace Washington’s role in negotiations, Sybiha stressed. Instead, Kyiv wants any European effort to support the US-led diplomatic track and avoid creating rival formats. “This should be an additional track – not instead of anything, not as an alternative,” Sybiha said, adding that Europe should speak “with one voice.” Other Topics of Interest Finland Urges Direct Europe-Russia Talks Finnish President Alexander Stubb said European governments should begin direct dialogue with Russia, arguing that US policy no longer fully serves European interests. He outlined potential outcomes for the war in Ukraine but said a peace agreement is unlikely this year. Stubb stressed the need for coordinated European action and deeper engagement with Ukraine as part of long-term security planning. Politico reported that Sybiha presented the proposal to European counterparts behind closed doors. EU officials responded cautiously, with one anonymous European official saying the bloc first needed to define what it expected from direct contacts with Moscow so as “not to act blindly.” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.