On December 30, the Veza Center for Public Analytics hosted political scientist Ihor Reiterovych to discuss key outcomes of the year and the results of the Miami peace talks. The discussion analyzed major events and the positions of Ukraine, the US, Russia and Europe in seeking a diplomatic solution.
According to the expert, no ceasefire is expected in 2025, with any possible breakthrough not likely before March or April of next year, depending on the situation at the front. Talks between President Zelensky and Donald Trump proceeded calmly but left major issues unresolved, particularly concerning Donbas.
Much attention was given to the fake story about the attack on Putin’s residence, which, according to Reiterovych, was advanced by Russia as an information warfare tactic to undermine or alter the negotiation process. This campaign sought to influence Trump’s position, but received little reaction from European leaders except Lithuania.
Internal Ukrainian political issues were also discussed, including recent vote-buying scandals, and their impact on President Zelensky’s negotiating position. It was noted that while full political accountability will be more relevant after the war, legitimacy issues are now addressed by anti-corruption bodies and the courts.
In summary, the experts highlighted the complexity of the negotiation process, the prevalence of information provocations, and the importance of international partners in seeking peace, while calling for a more active stance from European leaders in combating disinformation.
