The Institute for the Study of War warns in its latest report that the Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, is only faking interest in substantive negotiations with Ukraine. In fact, Moscow seeks to use the negotiations as a tool to achieve its expansionist goals, which include the complete destruction of Ukrainian statehood and identity.
Key points of the ISW report:
- Escalation of rhetoric: Since December 2023, the Kremlin has noticeably increased its aggressive rhetoric towards Ukraine, emphasizing its intention to conquer more territory and destroy the Ukrainian state.
- Maximalist goals: Russia’s military actions suggest that Moscow is more interested in achieving total victory than in any compromise settlement.
- Reluctance to make concessions: Putin sees maintaining control over the occupied territories as a non-negotiable basis for negotiations.
- Threat to NATO: A Russian victory in Ukraine would not only eliminate the threat from Ukraine, but would also give Moscow access to significant human and material resources that could be used for further aggression against NATO.
Putin’s “pragmatic and clear” demands:
Recent statements by Putin regarding the conditions for the start of negotiations with Ukraine, which include the withdrawal of the Armed Forces from the occupied territories, the withdrawal from NATO and the lifting of sanctions, have caused outrage in Kyiv. President Zelensky called these demands unacceptable and contrary to international law.
Military and political expert Ivan Stupak notes that these “pragmatic and clear” demands reveal Putin’s true motives, which are to destroy Ukrainian statehood.
