Russia has stepped up criticism of Ukraine’s European allies after another round of talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Although delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States held talks in Florida, there was no direct meeting between representatives of the warring parties. According to Russian representatives, no such meeting is being planned.
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” said Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s top aide, to journalists on Sunday, 21 December after the last round of talks on the Ukraine conflict had finished.
The proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace. – Yuri Ushakov, President Putin’s aide
In November, the Americans had announced a 28-point plan to end Russian aggression in Ukraine. However, according to many commentators, this plan was clearly advantageous for Moscow, and there were even opinions that some parts of it had been dictated to American delegation by the Russians themselves. Later, EU representatives came up with significant amendments to the American plan to make it more acceptable to Ukraine. By the term ’document’, Mr. Ushakov referred to the original US proposal.
Contradictory statements by Russia, Ukraine
During the Miami meetings, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that diplomatic efforts were advancing “quite quickly” and that his negotiators in Florida had been working with the American side. Steve Witkoff, key US negotiator, wrote on X that the talks held between American, European and Ukrainian officials in Florida over the last three days had been “productive and constructive”. Mr Witkoff also praised the Russian delegation for its “constructive approach”.
However, this is in stark contrast to comments made by Mr Ushakov and other Russian politicians. These statements clearly suggest that the Russians do not want Europe to be involved in the negotiations. This comes just a few days after EU countries agreed on a €90bn loan for Ukraine, which should cover the military and economic needs of Ukraine for the next two years.
Russia’s ultimate goals sinister: US intelligence
According to Reuters, U. S. intelligence reports indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin still aims to take full control of Ukraine and also parts of Central and Eastern Europe that were once under direct influence of Soviet Union. Six sources familiar with U. S. intelligence have noted that, despite ongoing negotiations for a peaceful resolution, President Putin does not wish to end the conflict. These findings align with the perspectives of European leaders and intelligence agencies, who believe Putin desires to capture all of Ukraine and territories of former Soviet satellite countries like Czechia, Poland, or Romania.
Currently, Russia occupies about 20 per cent Ukrainian territory (as recognized by the international law). That includes whole of Crimea, significant areas in Luhansk and Donetsk Regions, along with parts of Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Regions. Vladimir Putin asserts these regions ’belong to Russia’.
