Recent developments surrounding international negotiations on the war and the Russian leadership's reaction have sparked expert debate. Observers note the lack of clear comments from the top officials in Russia regarding negotiation initiatives. Most public statements come from figures like Zakharova, Nebenzya, or Medvedev, while President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov remain silent.
Analysts believe this silence indicates ongoing behind-the-scenes talks initiated by Moscow to seek compromise. Russia's response is usually limited to formal statements from the foreign ministry, which are often seen as secondary. Attempts to provoke direct reactions from senior officials, such as Lavrov, have not succeeded — official messaging remains reserved.
There is an opinion that Russia is deliberately avoiding escalation with the US, even as Washington intensifies economic pressure. Experts say that the Trump administration's strategy focuses on toughening sanctions against Russia’s economy and working to isolate Russia diplomatically, especially via actions targeting Venezuela and Iran.
The US has called on Venezuela and other nations to sever ties with Russia, China, and Iran to further pressure Moscow over its military policies. American sanctions and efforts aimed at disrupting Russia’s influence on the global oil market are deepening Russia’s economic isolation. Simultaneously, experts suggest that political shifts in Iran or Venezuela could introduce new geopolitical challenges for the Kremlin.
China's role is also discussed. So far, Beijing has remained passive and has not explicitly supported Russia. Should China's position change, it could become a decisive factor, potentially pressuring Moscow toward freezing the conflict and pursuing peace in Ukraine.
Currently, time is of utmost importance for the Kremlin: should China increase pressure on Russia to halt the war, the terms for Moscow could worsen significantly. Experts emphasize that Russia's restrained public communication is an effort to buy time, preserve maneuvering space in ongoing negotiations, and mitigate economic pressure.
