Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new date for negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations. Earlier, it was expected that the meeting with unnamed US officials would be held on February 1, but no contacts took place that day. Now, the new date is set for February 4-5, with the venue and US participation still unknown.
Ahead of the talks, Russian officials Dmitry Medvedev and Sergey Lavrov made statements reflecting the unchanged Russian position on ending hostilities. Medvedev emphasized Russia's desire for victory in the war and noted the possibility of its spread to other countries. Lavrov accused Europe of hindering Russian-American relations while simultaneously stressing Russia's readiness to cooperate with the United States.
This rhetoric mirrors the tactics used by Vladimir Putin, who highlights openness to dialogue without making major concessions. Lavrov said that escalating confrontation between Russia and the US would be “a crime” and called on Washington to refrain from stepping up assistance to Ukraine to avoid escalation. According to Portnikov, the main Kremlin objective is to prevent more effective Western support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the US has shown limited real influence on Kremlin actions despite economic sanctions and other measures. The US highlights Russian threats to itself but pays less attention to the dangers the Russia-Ukraine war poses to its own interests. Negotiation topics have become secondary against the backdrop of Moscow's firm stance.
While Moscow shows willingness to consult, it seeks no compromise and aims mainly to buy time and achieve favorable conditions. With the arrival of Donald Trump's administration, this tactic has intensified, focusing on new economic ties with the US.
Portnikov notes that, despite low expectations of tangible results, Ukraine is forced to participate in talks, as consultations are important for US policy dynamics. A possible interim result is a partial “energy truce,” even as Russian attacks continue. The author predicts that local truces and de-escalation attempts may accompany long-term negotiations, becoming an alternative to a full ceasefire.
Portnikov concludes that with each passing month of the war, the Trump administration will demand more concessions from Russia in exchange for not imposing new sanctions, and that Putin’s stance will be shaped by US policy pressures.