Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) emphasise that any negotiations between the Kremlin and US President-elect Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine will not ensure a full and lasting peace unless Russia changes its demands.
The Kremlin has declared its readiness to hold talks with Trump “without preconditions”. At the same time, Moscow shows no intention of changing its position on the war in Ukraine. According to ISW analysts, this indicates that Russia plans to use such talks as a tool to legitimise its territorial claims and put pressure on Ukraine and the West.
Experts note that Russia is constantly manipulating the idea of negotiations to relieve international pressure and preserve its military gains. “The Kremlin’s willingness to engage in dialogue on terms that protect its aggressive goals cannot be the basis for sustainable peace,” the ISW report says.
Ukraine and its international partners, including the United States, have repeatedly stated that any negotiations are possible only if Ukraine’s territorial integrity is fully restored. However, the Kremlin continues to insist on recognising the occupied territories as Russian.
