Kyiv likely secretly negotiates with Russia to end the war – FT.

According to some officials, Ukraine lacks the resources, support, and firepower to reclaim all the occupied territories. Financial Times, however, discovered that Ukraine may be conducting secret negotiations with Russia for a ceasefire.

The mood in Kyiv, Washington, and other Western capitals is changing. Instead of a firm stance on the necessity of withdrawing Russian troops from Ukraine, there is now uncertainty that an agreement through negotiations might be a better option, preserving most of the territory. But Ukraine needs support to achieve even such an outcome.

The presidency of Donald Trump in the USA could be a threat to Ukraine because Trump desires a swift end to the war. Some American and European officials hope that Trump will not press Kyiv for a deal with Moscow that could threaten Europe and the USA in the future.

Even some Western capitals, which previously advocated victory over Russia, are now revising their goals due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In private conversations, officials from Kyiv complain about the lack of resources and support from the West for reclaiming all the occupied territories. Hence, possibilities of a deal allowing Russia to retain control over these territories are being considered.

Analysts point out that through this deal, Ukraine could also recover and integrate with the EU, similar to West Germany during the Cold War.

However, such an option is based on ambitious assumptions. One of them is Ukraine gaining NATO membership or necessary security guarantees. However, the USA and its allies are not yet ready to make such promises to Kyiv.

According to Bloomberg, a ceasefire poses significant risks for Ukraine, as it would embolden Putin, weaken Ukraine, and lead to the continuation of military actions.

The Financial Times has been publishing very controversial articles in recent days, which immediately receive official denial.

On involving Putin in negotiations and assumptions made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.