Not a compromise, but a capitulation: what are the Kremlin’s real goals in the war against Ukraine?
фото: Reuters
The American Institute for the Study of War reported that the Kremlin has once again rejected the possibility of real peace talks, and instead is trying to shift the blame for the lack of progress onto Ukraine. Sergey Lavrov’s latest statements only confirm that Moscow has not changed its military goals, continues to issue ultimatums and seeks to legitimize the ideology of the “Russian world.”
This is stated in the ISW report.
Analysts claim that Russia has once again demonstrated its lack of intention to negotiate a just peace with Ukraine.
It is noted that in an interview with the American television channel NBC, Lavrov repeated the Kremlin’s narratives that the war was caused by “NATO’s eastward expansion” and “oppression of Russian speakers.” At the same time, he stated that Moscow has a “duty” to protect those who consider themselves part of “Russian culture.”
Experts emphasize that there are no new signals in the Kremlin’s statements. Russia continues to insist on the so-called “root causes” of the war, which go far beyond the borders of Ukraine. This means that any “settlement” from Moscow’s position would require concessions not only from Kyiv, but also from NATO.
According to ISW, the Kremlin is trying to present itself as a party ready for negotiations, but in fact is putting forward terms of surrender. Lavrov is once again trying to convince a Western audience that it is Kyiv that is blocking peace, although the real reason lies in Russia’s own maximalist demands.
Particular attention is paid to the Kremlin’s attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government. Russian officials are spreading the thesis that Volodymyr Zelensky allegedly has no right to sign peace agreements, thus preparing the ground for future manipulations. Lavrov also distorted the content of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, claiming that it was Ukraine that violated it. Analysts recall that it was Russia that destroyed this document, launching aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and a full-scale invasion in 2022.
No less dangerous is the Kremlin’s continued promotion of the ideology of the “Russian world.” Moscow is trying to present the war not as the seizure of foreign territories, but as the “defense of cultural space.” This, in essence, legalizes its claims not only to Ukraine, but also to other countries of the former USSR.
Thus, experts conclude that Russia is not seeking peace, but is only stalling for time, trying to shift responsibility to Ukraine, and at the same time using propaganda narratives to influence the West. The Kremlin is trying to disguise its ultimatums as “peace proposals,” but in reality it is not about compromise, but about a demand for surrender.
Recall that Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that Russia is not showing readiness for peace negotiations and plans to continue hostilities at least until the fall in order to achieve maximum territorial gains.
Trump previously said that it would be clear within the next two weeks whether peace could be achieved in Ukraine . If that did not happen, he warned of the possibility of seeking “another approach” to resolving the war.
Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.