US Senator JD Vance voiced optimism that diplomatic progress could pave the way toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war, citing recent signs of flexibility from Moscow.

“We believe we’ve already seen some significant concessions from both sides, just in the last few weeks,” Vance said in an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press.

Vance rejected suggestions that Russia was merely stalling negotiations. “The Russians have made significant concessions to [US] President Donald Trump for the first time in 3 [and a half] years of this conflict,” he argued.

“They’ve been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands, including recognizing that Ukraine will maintain territorial integrity and that they cannot install a puppet regime in Kiev,” Vance said.

He emphasized that while Russia had not yielded on every issue, progress was clear. “Should they have started the war? Of course not, but we’re making progress.”

Read more: Europe must bear burden of Ukraine security guarantees: JD Vance

According to Vance, Trump has intensified diplomatic engagement, aiming to secure an agreement that serves the interests of both Ukraine and the West.

“This war is not in anyone’s interest. It’s not in Europe’s or the United States’ interest,” Vance said, highlighting Trump’s push for an outcome that avoids prolonged conflict.

Canadian PM Mark Carney open to sending troops for security guarantees

While Vance pointed to progress in diplomacy, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed the need for long-term security assurances for Ukraine. During his first visit to Kiev since taking office in March, Carney told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Canada would not rule out sending Ukrainian troops under an international framework for peace.

“In Canada’s judgment, it is not realistic that the only security guarantee could be the strength of the Ukrainian Armed Forces … that needs to be buttressed and reinforced,” Carney said during a joint press conference.

Carney also announced more than CAD$1 billion in previously pledged military aid, including a new agreement on drone co-production.

Zelensky stresses need for lasting peace, international support

At Ukraine’s Independence Day ceremony in Kiev’s Sophia Square, Zelensky reiterated that any peace deal must include strong security guarantees, modeled as closely as possible on NATO’s Article 5.

The #UnitedStates has suggested offering Ukraine security commitments modeled on NATO’s mutual defense principle but outside the alliance framework, a diplomatic source told AFP on Saturday.

According to the source, the proposal surfaced during a joint call between US President… pic.twitter.com/vvoz1mE65Z

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 16, 2025

“We are all working to ensure that the end of this war would mean the guarantee of peace for Ukraine, so that neither war nor the threat of war are left for our children to inherit,” Zelensky told dignitaries, including Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg, whom he honored with a state medal.

Zelensky also confirmed that Kiev has been striking targets inside Russia using domestically produced long-range weapons, claiming that such operations were carried out independently of Washington.

Read more: Pentagon confirms upcoming US weapons shipment to Ukraine