Russia Rejects Possibility of Revising Terms for Negotiations with Ukraine - ISW.

Russia states that negotiations with Ukraine should be based solely on the terms articulated in Istanbul, and refuses any compromises. This is mentioned in the ISW report.

Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, stated on December 24 that Russia is ready for compromises in negotiations with Ukraine. However, she emphasized that the terms declared in the negotiations in Istanbul in March 2022 remain unchanged.

Matviyenko claims that Russia will not change its terms even a bit. In Istanbul, Russia demanded that Ukraine become a neutral state that would not be able to join NATO. Russia also demanded a limitation on the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to 85,000 personnel, similar to the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Versailles Treaty after World War I.

ISW analysts note that the intensification of rhetoric from Russian officials indicates Putin's confidence in victory over Ukraine.

It should be recalled that in the spring of 2022, Russia brought a draft treaty to negotiations with Ukraine that envisaged recognition of Crimea's annexation, bilingualism, a ban on joining NATO, and other humiliating points.

Recently, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated that he is negotiating with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, if he is legitimate.

Putin also explained why he is waging war in Ukraine, stating that stability and calm provoke boredom in Russia, therefore the 'activity' is necessary. With these words, he explained his decision to start a war against Ukraine.