Russia is preparing to hand over so-called "peace proposals" to Ukraine after the prisoner exchange scheduled for May 25 is completed. However, according to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin is not seeking real peace - it is an attempt to impose conditions for de facto surrender on Ukraine without a cessation of hostilities.
This is reported by ISW, citing statements by diplomats.
On May 23, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Sybiga noted that Ukraine expects to receive a draft of Russian proposals after the completion of the third stage of the prisoner exchange. At the same time, he did not rule out the participation of US President Donald Trump, as well as European leaders, in future negotiations. In addition, according to him, a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin is also possible.
On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed Russia's readiness to submit to Kyiv a draft document on a "long-term settlement of the conflict.".
However, ISW experts draw attention to the fact that Moscow is imposing negotiations without a ceasefire, while the position of Ukraine, the US, and the EU remains unchanged - any negotiations are possible only after a complete cessation of hostilities.
According to analysts, the Kremlin thus wants to force the West to recognize part of the occupied territories and create a new negotiating framework where Russian military superiority puts pressure on Ukraine.
"Russia has not abandoned the goal of destroying Ukrainian statehood. Even in the format of "peace negotiations," Putin continues to promote a scenario where Ukraine must capitulate. And this will continue as long as he believes in his military superiority," the ISW report says.
In fact, according to analysts, Moscow is using diplomacy as a tool of pressure, not intending to stop the war, but only to force Ukraine to make concessions on terms that are favorable to the Kremlin.
