Putin will drag the war until autumn: Deutsche Welle revealed Kremlin's plans.

Future plans

Ukrainian experts express skepticism about a quick return to negotiations with Russia after the Istanbul meeting. According to their forecasts, real negotiations may not begin until October 2025 due to Putin's plans to conduct a summer offensive on Ukrainian territory.

Real negotiations

Military expert Ivan Stupak believes that true negotiations between Ukraine and Russia may not begin until at least October. He notes that the Russians are not in a hurry to negotiate now, as they have an advantage on the front. Stupak believes that Russian forces want to continue pressing Ukraine to annex new territories until they achieve their goal.

'The Russians want to press, demand to annex the Sumy region as well, they will speak with ultimatums. And as long as there is no deadlock on the line of demarcation, no one will sit at the negotiating table,' Stupak noted.

Forecasts for the future

Chief consultant of the Center for Foreign Policy Studies Ivan Uss believes that autumn may be a key time for starting dialogue between the parties. According to him, the Russian economy risks a sharp decline closer to October, which may influence Putin's decision regarding the war in Ukraine.

'At that time, - Uss is convinced, - Putin will be ready for dialogue about a ceasefire, concessions, and ending the war.'

We remind that so far, the only agreement on the exchange of prisoners in the format of 1000 for 1000 is the only concrete result of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

Ukrainian experts express serious concern about the possibility of a quick return to negotiations with Russia. Putin's plans to conduct a summer offensive on Ukrainian territories cast doubt on the possibility of starting real negotiations before October 2025. Experts believe that the Russian side has an advantage on the front and will not rush to negotiations until it achieves its goals. It is also emphasized that autumn may be a favorable time to start dialogue about a ceasefire and ending the war when the Russian economy risks a sharp decline. So far, only the agreement on the exchange of prisoners is a concrete result of the negotiations.