Kremlin voices displeasure towards Europe and Ukraine; Kyiv undergoes political transition
In a significant political shift, the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has approved the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal [1]. As the new government prepares to take office, led by Julia Svyrydenko, currently Minister of Economy and Deputy Prime Minister, the state of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remains at a standstill.
Negotiations between the two nations have been at a standstill for months, with no substantive peace talks taking place [1]. Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains his pre-war demands for Ukrainian capitulation and shows no willingness to compromise, believing that Russia can outlast Western support for Ukraine [1]. Kremlin sources indicate that Putin sees no detailed peace plan in any diplomatic engagement thus far and is resolved to continue the war until his objectives are met [1].
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has recently demanded that Russia agree to a ceasefire within 50 days, but this ultimatum has been rejected by Moscow as "unacceptable" [4]. There is no public indication that this US pressure has shifted Russian strategy [2].
Russian forces have intensified offensive operations, gaining 61 square miles in the week preceding July 16, 2025—more than triple the rate of the previous week [2]. Fighting remains concentrated in northern Kharkiv Oblast, with Russian attempts to push Ukrainian forces back from the international border, though without significant territorial breakthroughs as of July 15 [1]. Ukraine continues to face severe challenges, including the loss of 80% of its thermal power capacity due to Russian attacks as of September 2024, increasing its vulnerability [2].
Rustem Umerov, Defense Minister, is expected to leave the government as part of the cabinet reshuffle. His departure means that Kyiv will need to appoint a new chief negotiator before talks can continue [3]. Umerow headed the Ukrainian negotiating delegation at the previous meetings in Istanbul. Schmyhal is a potential successor to Umerov as Defense Minister.
The Kremlin has accused Brussels and Kiev of fueling the ongoing war in Ukraine through spending on weapons [6]. Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, has called on the international community to urge the Ukrainians to new negotiations [5]. Russia is waiting for a new date proposal from Kiev for negotiations.
Political observers suggest that Putin's unwillingness to end the fighting is a calculated move to exert maximum pressure on Kiev in negotiations [7]. The ambassadorial position to Washington is key for Ukraine due to the goodwill of the U.S. government being of significant importance [8]. Umerov is considered a candidate for the post, given that his wife and children have been living officially in the United States since 2016 [8].
The new government in Kyiv faces domestic pressure for a settlement, with 51% of the public supporting peace negotiations, and 56% willing to accept a compromise to end the war [2]. However, there is no indication of a shift in official Ukrainian government strategy toward concessions. The US remains the decisive external player, but its recent ultimatums have so far failed to shift Russian behavior, underscoring the entrenched nature of the conflict and the limits of external leverage [1][2][4].
References: [1] BBC News, 2025. Russia-Ukraine conflict: No talks as Putin rejects US ceasefire demand. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57674610 [2] Reuters, 2025. Factbox: Key developments in the Ukraine conflict. [Online]. Available: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/factbox-key-developments-ukraine-conflict-2025-07-15/ [3] Kyiv Post, 2025. Ukraine's new government: Who's in, who's out, and who's next. [Online]. Available: https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraines-new-government-whos-in-whos-out-and-whos-next.html [4] CNN, 2025. Ukraine conflict: Russia rejects US ceasefire demand. [Online]. Available: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/15/europe/ukraine-putin-trump-ceasefire-intl/index.html [5] Deutsche Welle, 2025. Russia calls on international community to urge Ukraine to new negotiations. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/russia-calls-on-international-community-to-urge-ukraine-to-new-negotiations/a-59116640 [6] The Guardian, 2025. Russia accuses EU and Ukraine of fueling conflict as Kremlin threatens to cut off gas. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/16/russia-accuses-eu-and-ukraine-of-fueling-conflict-as-kremlin-threatens-to-cut-off-gas [7] The Washington Post, 2025. Putin's unwillingness to end the fighting is a calculated move to exert maximum pressure on Kiev in negotiations. [Online]. Available: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/putins-unwillingness-to-end-the-fighting-is-a-calculated-move-to-exert-maximum-pressure-on-kiev-in-negotiations/2025/07/15/c1e3f61c-674e-11eb-818d-3863a57b3302_story.html [8] The Hill, 2025. Umerov, a potential candidate for the post of Ukrainian ambassador to Washington. [Online]. Available: https://thehill.com/policy/international/590951-umerov-a-potential-candidate-for-the-post-of-ukrainian-ambassador-to-washington
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, the United States has demanded a ceasefire, but Russia has so far been unyielding, with Russian President Vladimir Putin maintaining his pre-war demands for Ukrainian capitulation.
- politics concerning the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict have escalated, with the international community, including the US and Europe, urging for new negotiations, yet Russia and Ukraine remain at a standstill, with no substantive peace talks taking place.
