Russia prioritizes deeper cooperation with US over ceasefire in Ukraine - ISW
Photo: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Kremlin uses narratives to weaken support for Ukraine amid Riyadh talks. Russia is more focused on strengthening bilateral relations with the US and easing sanctions pressure than on a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War.
The Kremlin is likely seeking to leverage the lack of information regarding the negotiations between US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations in Riyadh on March 23 and 24.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukrainians of being "well-bred Nazis" lacking independence, part of Russia's effort to justify demands for "denazification" — regime change and the establishment of a pro-Russian puppet government in Kyiv as conditions for ending the war in Ukraine.
Lavrov also repeated accusations against European countries for wanting to prolong the war in Ukraine, which could drive a wedge between Europe and the US.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of violating a proposed moratorium on strikes on energy infrastructure, even though the details of the moratorium are still under discussion in Riyadh.
Peskov and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova attempted to temper internal expectations regarding the ongoing negotiations, stating that no breakthroughs should be expected and that much work remains on technical issues. These statements continue to signal to the Russian public that they should not expect full peace in Ukraine shortly and must support the Kremlin's conditions for prolonged military action.
"Recent statements by Russian diplomats and academics indicate that the Kremlin likely aims to prioritize bilateral discussions with the United States over talks to end the war in Ukraine and will set this expectation within Russian society," ISW noted.
Vyacheslav Nikonov, head of the Russian State Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, stated in a recent interview with The New York Times that President Vladimir Putin views Russian-American relations as "more important than the question of Ukraine."
Other Russian officials and experts, also speaking to NYT, emphasized that before agreeing to any ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia is more focused on achieving its goals in bilateral relations with the US - particularly regarding the easing of sanctions, restraining NATO, and seeking a "broader deal" that would include US-Russian agreements.
Negotiation process to end war
In early March, the United States proposed a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian side agreed to this proposal, but the Kremlin did not give direct consent, instead presenting several additional conditions, including halting mobilization and stopping the supply of Western weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
On Sunday, March 23, another round of negotiations took place in Riyadh between the US and delegations from Ukraine and Russia regarding the end of the war.
During the US-Ukrainian meeting, they discussed a ceasefire in the Black Sea region to ensure free navigation, particularly halting attacks on Ukrainian ports. The delegations also discussed a conditional "line of control" between the two countries, prisoner exchanges, and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
On Monday, March 24, the US delegation continued talks with the Russians. The discussions lasted for 12 hours. Afterward, additional negotiations with the Ukrainian side will take place.
The administration of US President Donald Trump hopes to reach a ceasefire agreement by April 20. However, Washington does not rule out the possibility of these deadlines shifting.
