On December 27, Kyiv suffered heavy shelling, disrupting the lives of residents. Valeriy Klychk, head of the Center for Public Energy "Veža", and Nataliia Butyrska, expert on the Asia-Pacific region, analyzed possible links between these attacks and the ongoing international negotiation process on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
Butyrska noted that Russia consistently launches attacks before or during key meetings between Ukraine and its Western partners, using such events to exert pressure and seek concessions at the negotiating table by demoralizing Ukrainians.
The prospects and scenarios regarding the upcoming meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump were discussed. Experts agreed that the future of US support and the course of the peace dialogue largely depend on the new US administration. It was highlighted that, under Trump, there has been no consistent support line as seen under President Biden.
China's influence on the dialogue was discussed separately. While officially maintaining neutrality, China is actively engaging in multilateral diplomacy, organizing talks with both the US and Ukraine to protect its interests in the evolving global conflict.
Against the background of shelling and debates about referendums, elections, and peace plans, the experts observed growing public distrust and stressed the need for more transparent communication between authorities and the population. Russia, meanwhile, seeks to exploit information vulnerabilities within Ukrainian society.
Negotiations are continuing at various levels, touching on peace prospects, the country’s political future, China’s involvement, the role of the US, and domestic developments. There are no signs yet of rapid agreements or long-term security guarantees fully satisfying Ukraine; discussions focus on short-term ceasefires, referendums, and elections as advocated by some international partners.
In conclusion, experts highlight the complexity of the situation, the need for public dialogue, and the crucial influence of external players—primarily the US, Russia, and China—on Ukraine's future.
