Bangladesh, April 19 -- As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fourth summer, the prospect of peace remains elusive. Despite renewed diplomatic efforts by US President Donald Trump, who has returned to the Oval Office with the promise of brokering a settlement, both Ukrainian and Russian forces remain locked in a devastating stalemate. On the surface, the conflict appears intractable. Yet beneath the surface, quiet diplomacy is underway – and it could pave the way for a peace deal that ends the violence while upholding international norms and Ukraines sovereignty.

The war, which began in earnest in 2022 but has its roots in Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, has become a grinding war of attrition. On both sides, the human cost is st...