Putin Seeks Armistice, Retain Gains in Ukraine War
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to stop the war in Ukraine through a negotiated armistice that recognizes the current frontlines, reports Reuters
At the same time, the leader from Kiev is prepared to continue fighting "as long as necessary," according to the cited source.
Reuters sources have indicated that Putin will leverage the recent territorial successes of Russian troops to end hostilities. A new offensive in Ukraine would require the President of the Russian Federation to decide on a new mobilisation, which he wishes to avoid, according to inside sources.
"Putin will say that we have won, that NATO attacked us, but we preserved our sovereignty and have a land corridor to Crimea," declared one of the interlocutors, quoted by Reuters.
In his opinion, the current results of the offensive are sufficient to declare "victory in the war" to the Russian population.
The appointment last week of economist Andrei Belousov as Russia's Minister of Defense has been seen by some Western military and political analysts as a signal that the Russian economy is being placed on a permanent war footing to win a prolonged conflict.
This followed the sustained battlefield pressure and territorial advances by Russia in recent weeks.
Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said that the Kremlin's leader has repeatedly emphasised that Russia is open to dialogue to achieve its objectives, stating that the country does not want an "eternal war."
An armistice that does not retain the territorial gains of the Russian Federation is unacceptable to Putin, according to sources.
"If there is no agreement, Putin will want to occupy as much Ukrainian territory as possible."
They also stated that the president of the Russian Federation believes Western allies will not supply Ukraine with enough weapons to deter Russian troops.
One of the sources predicted that no agreement could be reached while the current president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is in power, unless Russia bypasses him and makes an agreement with Washington. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Kiev last week, told reporters that he does not believe Putin is interested in serious negotiations.
The largest land conflict in Europe since World War II has cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides and has led to Western sanctions on the Russian economy.
Kiev and its Western supporters are counting on a $61 billion American aid package and additional European military aid to reverse what Zelensky described as "one of the most difficult moments" of the large-scale war.
Previously, the deputy head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, Vadim Skibitski, stated in an interview with The Economist that Ukraine will not be able to defeat Russia solely on the battlefield. According to him, even if the Armed Forces of Ukraine push the Russian occupation forces back to the 1991 borders, this will not end the war. In his opinion, such wars can only end through agreements.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
