The US Mission to Moscow Failed: Why Putin is Delaying Peace Negotiations.

According to ТСН: Russian President Vladimir Putin may be pleased with the recent mission of US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow. The lack of progress in negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine aligns with the Kremlin's strategy of dragging out peace talks, hoping for greater benefits in the future.

According to Bloomberg, Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed that during the five-hour negotiations, no agreement could be reached on the key issue of the territories that would remain under Russian occupation. He also did not mention the possibility of holding the next summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump.

The Situation on the Battlefield

Bloomberg notes that such circumstances are advantageous for the Russian president, as Russian military units have an advantage on the front, while Ukraine's European allies are effectively sidelined from the negotiations.

“This peace plan is being implemented exclusively from Washington and Moscow, as Putin has always wanted.”

The publication also emphasizes that another positive aspect for Putin was that, according to Ushakov, the negotiations discussed “vast prospects for future economic cooperation” between Russia and the US.

At the same time, Belgium rejected the European Union's proposal to use frozen Russian assets to provide a loan to Ukraine. This move allowed Putin to accuse European leaders of “obstructing” Trump.

No reports from the US following the meeting have emerged yet, but the Kremlin realizes that Trump wants to claim credit for ending the largest conflict in Europe since World War II while avoiding new sanctions and demonstrating activity in diplomacy.

“Putin can calculate that the longer he drags out negotiations with Trump, the bigger the final gain might be.”

Russian President's assistant Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Putin's negotiations with Witkoff and Jared Kushner were “useful,” but a compromise on the plan to resolve the war in Ukraine has yet to be found.

Moreover, Politico reported that Witkoff and Kushner had to wait for a meeting with Putin in Moscow, strolling and dining in a restaurant for several hours. While American officials were “wasting” time, Putin addressed the press at an investment forum, accusing Europe of derailing the peace process.

The situation surrounding peace negotiations between Russia and the US remains tense. The absence of agreement and new accusations lead to further prolongation of the conflict. Economic prospects are being discussed, but for now, there are no real actions. It is important to keep an eye on developments, as any changes can significantly affect global stability.