Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine—ISW identified Putin's objective.
This is stated in the report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
What Putin Says About Negotiations with Ukraine
Analysts noted that in a television interview with Kremlin journalist Pavel Zarubin on January 24, Vladimir Putin stated that he is open to negotiations "on the Ukrainian issue." At the same time, he emphasized that negotiations are "hindered" by a decree from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued in 2022, which prohibits any negotiations with Putin.
Putin falsely accused Ukraine and Zelensky of being unwilling to end the war, claiming that any peace agreements made while the decree is in place would be "illegitimate." He also urged the West to pressure Zelensky to annul this document. Furthermore, Putin questioned Zelensky's legitimacy as the acting president and hinted that it is U.S. President Donald Trump who should discuss the "Ukrainian issue" directly with him, without Ukraine's involvement.
Background of Zelensky's Decree Banning Negotiations
Volodymyr Zelensky signed the decree banning negotiations with Putin in September 2022. This was a response to Russia's illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions—Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The document was signed after months of peace talks in Istanbul, where Russia demanded Ukraine's neutrality, a restriction on its military personnel to 85,000, and other conditions that would make the country vulnerable to further aggression.
In the decree, Zelensky emphasized that this ban is part of efforts to ensure the territorial integrity and security of Ukraine, as well as the Euro-Atlantic space. Despite this, Ukraine does not completely reject diplomacy and continues to propose various diplomatic initiatives, such as a Global Peace Summit, which Russia dismisses.
Ukraine's Peace Initiatives
Zelensky has repeatedly signaled Ukraine's readiness to negotiate, provided that the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security guarantees from Western allies are respected. The Ukrainian president has suggested discussing a peace plan from a position of strength that would compel Russia to consider fair compromises.
However, Russian officials label Ukraine's initiatives as "unviable." Putin even attempted to persuade Chinese President Xi Jinping not to participate in the first Global Peace Summit in June 2024.
What Putin Really Wants from Negotiations
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War concluded that Russia consistently demonstrates an unwillingness to compromise. Putin demands the establishment of a pro-Russian government in Ukraine, the destruction of the Ukrainian army, the country's neutrality, and a ban on NATO membership. These conditions remain unacceptable to Ukraine and its allies. Experts believe that Putin is using the 2022 decree to shift focus away from his own unwillingness to negotiate and to create tension between Ukraine and its Western partners.
Furthermore, Putin warned the "elites" in the Kremlin of his reluctance to end the war.
Putin is likely using his interview with Zarubin on Russian state television to signal to the Russian public that Russia is unlikely to engage in peace negotiations in the near future and that the war is unlikely to end soon. He is also directing this message to a subgroup of Russian elites who reportedly want the war to end, and likely intends to quell any questions from Russian elites about his plan for the war and its resolution during this interview," analysts believe.
Western analysts emphasize that only consistent military and economic support for Ukraine can compel Russia to reconsider its "theory of victory" and push Putin to agree to real negotiations.
It is worth noting that Zelensky recently outlined his conditions for negotiations with Russia.
Additionally, the Kremlin administration responded to proposals regarding a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.