The Russian authorities are already trying to impose their demands on any possible peace talks with Ukraine to end the war, hoping to change the political climate in the United States with the arrival of President-elect Donald Trump. This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Time Ukraine Israel reports.
ISW analysts point out that the Kremlin’s demands actually demonstrate its unwavering position – Russia wants Ukraine’s complete surrender. Despite possible changes in Washington, the Kremlin shows no willingness to make concessions to either the current US administration or the Trump administration.
On 13 November, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that, in her opinion, Western countries “only imitate their interest in peace in Ukraine” and, according to her, the only way to peace is to stop military support for Ukraine from the West. This confirms that Moscow is putting forward a complete cessation of military aid to Ukraine as a key condition for peace talks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also noted that the beginning of the Trump presidency, in his opinion, will not significantly change the US position on Ukraine. He also criticised any proposals to freeze the front line, saying that such agreements are “even worse” than the 2014 Minsk agreements, which Russia saw as an opportunity to establish its influence in the Donbas.
Thus, the Kremlin continues to set tough conditions and demonstrates an unwillingness to compromise, which casts doubt on the possibility of a constructive dialogue with Ukraine on Moscow’s terms.
