Every time negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. appear to gain momentum, Moscow introduces a new allegation — drone attacks, assassination attempts, nuclear plots, sabotage — that threatens to stall or derail the process.
Ukrainian officials and Western analysts say the pattern is no coincidence.
A high-level Ukrainian official familiar with the course of the negotiations told the Kyiv Independent that the “nonsense” Russia is spreading is intended to influence the talks and divert attention from Moscow’s unwillingness to seek compromise.
As Russian negotiators show little flexibility on concessions, the Kremlin appears to weaponize the diplomatic track — testing Washington’s reactions, seeking leverage, and undermining Kyiv’s credibility.
Russia: “Waaah! Just because I’m doing an extermination war on you doesn’t mean you get to hit back! матушка!”
Their goal is clearly to prolong a facade of good will and make the war last as long as possible. It’s an actual strategy that favours their military.
I don’t think it favours their military at all. I think the war is grinding the Russian military and economy into dust. The prolonging of the facade is only done because Putin is backed into a corner. If peace is actually declared he has to face the music at home, something he is not prepared to do.
Keeping the war going is the only thing Putin knows will keep him alive. He’s not winning though, as much as he’s trying.
To be fair, if Ukraine was in a dominant position, taking land back at a large scale and Russia was falling back I doubt the Ukrainians would sue for peace.
Russia of course won’t sue for peace when they’ve got a few more million for the grinder.
The lines are pretty frozen at this point but the issue isn’t that Russia doesn’t want to negotiate. They are suing for peace but they’re negotiating in bad faith and then inventing crises to derail the process they’re pretending to participate in.
Russia is currently losing ground or ground they claimed they captured and has been largely stagnant for the last 3 years (1% gained last year). Per person killed there gains are worse than the battle of the sonme. The Russins are not winning, they can stop as there state will collapse
