New statements from the Kremlin regarding peace negotiations show that Russia does not plan to end the war even if it gains control over Donbas.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a source within Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s team.
The source commented on remarks by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who called trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia “inappropriate” until Ukrainian troops withdraw from Donbas.
According to the source, what matters in the context of negotiations is the position of Washington and U.S. President Donald Trump, who, like Ukraine, believe the war must be ended through diplomacy.
The source also pointed to Ushakov’s statement that after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas, hostilities would only be “suspended.”
“He basically blurted out exactly what they are planning and what we have been telling our partners all this time: they want Donbas, but they do not want to stop the war even after that. Their plan is simply to gain a foothold,” the source said.
Earlier, Yuri Ushakov stated that talks on ending the war are currently “a waste of time.”
A new round of negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia had been planned for early March but was postponed after the start of the U.S. operation against Iran.
On May 7, Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov arrived in the United States for meetings with American officials, where the diplomatic process is expected to be discussed.
