Russia does not intend to enter into substantive negotiations with Ukraine before the beginning of 2027, as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to believe that he can achieve his military objectives and refuses any compromise. In parallel, Moscow is trying to persuade the Washington administration to put pressure on Kiev to accept major concessions, reports the Financial Times, citing Ukrainian officials involved in the negotiation process and sources familiar with the discussions between Russia and the United States.
According to the publication, the Kremlin believes that time is still working in its favor, and the resumption of trilateral negotiations involving the USA is unlikely before the end of summer.
Last week, the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, announced the launch of a 40-day campaign of deep strikes into Russian territory, intended to increase pressure on Moscow. However, FT sources maintain that these attacks have not altered Putin’s position, who continues to believe that Russia can win the war, and the goals set by the Kremlin remain achievable.
Ukrainian officials involved in peace negotiations have told the Financial Times that Moscow’s representatives have repeatedly conveyed to their American counterparts that Washington should persuade Kiev to accept significant territorial and political concessions. Under these circumstances, the prospects for resuming negotiations with the participation of the USA remain slim.
“At this moment, the most convenient scenario for the Russians is for the Americans to “deliver” Ukraine to them. They do not hint at any concessions on their part and repeat the same objectives every time. Essentially, the conditions they impose exclude the existence of a real basis for negotiations,” a source close to the power circles in Moscow told the publication.
Although the Russian ground offensive has slowed in recent months, Putin has ordered the military to complete the occupation of the entire Donetsk region by the end of this year, according to an assessment of Ukrainian intelligence services consulted by the Financial Times. The document was presented to President Zelenski, and its conclusions were confirmed, under the protection of anonymity, by two people who claim to have recently discussed with the Kremlin leader.
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