Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to inject a new demand into discussions about the resolution of the war — one that aligns with the Kremlin’s longstanding efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government and derail any potential peace agreement.
According to Ukrinform, this was reported in a recent Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report.
“Putin’s new demand for an interim government in Ukraine as a precondition for peace negotiations demonstrates how the Kremlin continues to hold negotiations hostage and is attempting to extract additional concessions from the West following the progress made in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations,” the report states.
According to the ISW, the Kremlin remains committed to prolonging any negotiations on a temporary ceasefire along the front line or reaching a permanent peace agreement. This strategy aims to gain more battlefield victories and create favorable conditions for Ukraine’s complete capitulation.
The ISW notes that Putin reiterated his demand for the elimination of the “root causes” of the war in Ukraine as a precondition for a peace deal.
This refers to Russia’s initial military demands, which directly contradict the efforts of Ukraine, the US, and Europe to achieve a just and sustainable resolution.
“Putin is attempting to inject a new demand aligned with the Kremlin’s long-standing efforts to undermine the Ukrainian government’s legitimacy,” the report says.
The ISW analysts argue that these Kremlin maneuvers raise serious doubts about Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith. They also create informational conditions for Russia to violate any agreement, claiming that the Ukrainian government allegedly had no legal right to conclude it.
Earlier, Putin suggested holding negotiations on the establishment of an external “temporary administration” in Ukraine under the UN oversight. In response, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed introducing a UN temporary administration over Russia instead.
Source: ISW analyzes Putin's statements on "temporary administration" in Ukraine
