Valerii Kluchok, head of the Veza public analytics center, commented on Russian officials’ recent statements about an alleged Ukrainian attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence. He emphasized that this is fake information spread by the Kremlin using its partners, notably the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. The goal of such statements is to generate international pressure, grab the West's attention, and secure stronger negotiating positions.
Kluchok noted Ukraine’s swift reaction and the low level of Western intelligence engagement in debunking this fake story, with Lithuania as the exception. He believes these are diplomatic maneuvers targeting Western media space, signaling increased support for Ukraine from both the US and Europe in achieving a compromise peace agreement.
The expert paid special attention to press secretary Dmitry Peskov’s statement that Russia will continue negotiations on Ukraine exclusively with the United States. According to Kluchok, Russia avoids direct talks with Ukraine, hoping the US will exert pressure to achieve Russian goals. However, Russia’s resources for waging war are running out, with shrinking finances and mobilizations failing to change the strategic balance.
Kluchok stresses that Russia aims to freeze the conflict on favorable terms. Meanwhile, the US is interested in swift conflict resolution and in strengthening Russia’s role to counter China, which benefits from a weak Russia and cheaper energy resources. Kluchok predicts continued diplomatic games among the West, Russia, and China, noting that Ukraine remains the main arena of geopolitical confrontation since World War II.
