Only one conclusion can be drawn from today’s talks in Istanbul: Russia has once again rejected the proposed unconditional 30-day ceasefire. In the first meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in three years, Moscow demanded Kyiv withdraw its troops from the four regions Vladimir Putin has claimed but failed to capture completely. When Ukraine refused, Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky reportedly threatened to seize even more: Kharkiv and Sumy regions next. He warned that Russia is prepared to fight forever, before asking: can Ukraine? ‘Maybe some of those sitting here at this table will lose more of their loved ones.’
Threats and unrealistic demands are part of the Russian negotiation strategy to push Ukraine to withdraw from the talks. This is why Moscow opposed having a US representative at the table during the direct negotiations with Ukraine. Putin, who offered to renew meetings with Kyiv in Turkey, needs to preserve the illusion of a peace process for Donald Trump.
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