"Is it possible to discuss matters with the officials in Kyiv, who are backed by Putin, questioning the practicality of negotiations?"
Tensions Escalate as Putin Calls Ukraine's Leaders Terrorists
In a stern statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned the possibility of productive talks with Ukraine and a ceasefire, following a series of terrorist attacks on Russian soil.
"Why should we negotiate with terrorists?" Putin asked, in comments reported by Interfax. "Under these conditions, what's there to discuss? Who would we be negotiating with?"
The recent bombings in the Bryansk and Kursk regions have claimed the lives of seven innocent people and left over 100 injured. Putin pointed a finger directly at Ukraine, asserting that the bombings were "undoubtedly" acts of terrorism, planned and executed at the highest levels in Kiev.
The head of state made these remarks at a meeting with government members, expressing concern that the Ukrainian government has morphed into a terrorist organization. Putin insisted that the Kiev regime, with its supporters aiding and abetting terrorism, cannot be trusted in any negotiation.
Despite the hostile rhetoric, Putin did agree that negotiations might be necessary to achieve the goals of the Special Military Operation (SVO), as reported by TASS. However, he cautioned against succumbing to provocations.
Background Information
Recent negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have been fraught with tension, with little progress made on either ceasefire agreements or substantive discussions. Following the resumption of contacts, talks in Istanbul earlier this month were brief and unproductive, with Russia demanding Ukrainian withdrawal from contested regions and Ukraine adamantly rejecting such demands.
Prospects for the Future
With both sides deeply entrenched in their respective positions, the immediate prospects for a ceasefire or meaningful high-level talks appear bleak. Russia shows no signs of committing to a ceasefire without concessions from Ukraine, while Ukraine and its allies push for an end to hostilities before substantive conversations can take place. The Kremlin's focus on a drawn-out three-stage negotiation process suggests it aims to leverage negotiations for broader geopolitical objectives rather than seeking lasting peace in Ukraine. As of now, there's no indication that either side is prepared to compromise on its core demands.
[1] Recently, discussions between Russia and Ukraine regarding a ceasefire and peace negotiations have been unproductive. Despite resumed contacts, the brief and unproductive peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month resulted only in an agreement for a limited prisoner exchange. Russia continues to insist on Ukrainian withdrawal from contested regions, a position Ukraine categorically rejects.
[2] The Kremlin intends to use negotiations to rehabilitate Russia's international standing instead of ending the war. Russian President Putin has proposed a three-stage negotiation process, reserving high-level involvement for himself and U.S. President Trump, only involving Ukrainian President Zelensky when absolutely necessary.
[1] As Putin labels Ukraine's leaders as terrorists and accuses them of planning acts of terrorism, it seems unlikely that war-and-conflicts talks between Russia and Ukraine will yield productive results anytime soon, with the recent peace talks in Istanbul serving as a clear example.
[2] In light of Putin's apparent intention to leverage negotiations for broader geopolitical gains, rather than focusing on a speedy resolution to the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, discussions about general-news topics such as politics and crime-and-justice may become frostier and more contentious, further jeopardizing any hope for a lasting peace.
