The war has been going on for almost three years. The leaders of Russia and Ukraine – with the help of the United States – may soon be ready to sit down at the negotiating table.
US President-elect Donald Trump states that a first meeting is being arranged between him and Vladimir Putin.
However, when such a meeting would take place is unclear.
On Friday, the Kremlin says that Putin is also ready to talk to Donald Trump, reports AFP.
– The president has repeatedly expressed his openness to contact with international leaders, including the president of the United States, including Donald Trump, says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Escalation – despite losses
Many hope that a meeting will take place in the near future and that the war can be ended at the negotiating table – but not all.
Senior Russian security and military officials are instead pushing for an escalation of the war in Ukraine and opposing peace talks. That’s what the think tank writes The Institute for the study of war in its latest analysis and refers to the Latvia-based Russian media producer Meduza.
The same information states that the Russians are stating that their forces are not making significant territorial gains relative to the losses in men and equipment, but are nevertheless reluctant to end the war.
More men to the battlefield
They should instead urge Putin to propose a partial involuntary conscription. ISW’s analysts write that their goal with the operation is likely to flood the battlefield with more troops and materiel.
“ISW continues to assess that Putin is resistant to implementing a partial involuntary call-up of military reserves or further mobilizing the Russian economy, as such decisions would be deeply unpopular with Russians and would further strain Russia’s labor shortages and economy,” the think tank writes.
Trump has previously said he would end the war “within 24 hours” when he takes office as president. A proposal previously dismissed by experts. Trump has also recently revised his 24-hour plan, saying it is more realistic that the war can be ended within six months.
During yesterday, several sources stated for Financial Times that Trump and his staff have not decided how to plan to end the war.
Yesterday 10:55