Moscow is once again attempting to regain control of the situation by insisting on the withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces from five key regions
According to sources in the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the ongoing negotiations, which have been underway for several weeks, are making some progress; however, Moscow deliberately efforts to prolong this strategic crisis. According to reports from a Ukrainian Pravda interlocutor, the Kremlin continuously raises secondary issues, focusing on delaying the signing of important agreements. In a conversation with journalists, he emphasized: "We see that there is progress in the negotiations, but the Russians intentionally focus on trivial details to drag out the process. This is obvious, as they are looking for any excuse to justify their tactics of delay." A key point in the negotiations remains Russia’s demand for the return of Ukrainian troops and authorities from five regions — Kursk, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Only under the conditions announced in Moscow is the Kremlin willing to consider a ceasefire, but it insists that Ukraine first capitulate in these regions. According to the source, the main goal is to stop hostilities and reduce tension; however, Russia insists that troop withdrawal precedes any steps toward peace. The department notes that during the last negotiations, the main representative of the Russian delegation remains Vladimir Medinsky. He has full authority and is in direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the source, Russia’s position remains unchanged and entails the sequence of first withdrawing Ukrainian forces from the occupied territories, then discussing a ceasefire. At the same time, the source does not hide that the Russian side does not rule out the use of various mechanisms to delay the negotiation process. It can be said, perhaps with some exaggeration, that there is a conscious creation of obstacles to quickly reaching agreements. He states: "We observe that the Russian Federation deliberately focuses on insignificant issues, and even if there are some steps upward along the diplomatic ladder, the values and priorities for Moscow remain unchanged. This demonstrates a deliberate tactic of prolonging negotiations aimed at achieving their strategic objectives." Another important component of the situation is the recent operation of the Security Service of Ukraine, called "Spider Web." According to sources, during this special operation, 41 Russian military aircraft were hit, including strategic bombers, A-50 aircraft, and other combat aviation. This significantly altered the balance of power and, according to military experts, impacted the course of negotiations. Kyiv officials believe that such Ukrainian actions create an existing imbalance and cause Moscow to worry about the possibility of agreements falling apart. The source states that the Russians have made it clear that the "Spider Web" operation is not only a tactical victory but also a factor that could provoke new complications in diplomatic talks. "Russia needs to maintain its positions, and any escalation could lead to the collapse of all agreements and a return to active hostilities," the interlocutor emphasizes. Regarding future steps, Moscow reserves the possibility of continuing to present ultimatums, insisting first on the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from designated regions before addressing open questions about peace. The main value for the Kremlin remains unchanged: the unsubstantiated recognition of Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories, which is one of Moscow’s primary conditions for any political settlement. Overall, the situation remains tense. The ongoing negotiations show both progress and complexity. However, according to official information, the Kremlin is seeking to use any opportunity to prolong the process and preserve its strategic positions at any cost. There are no clear paths to compromise so far, and Ukraine continues to defend its position and insist on its conditions.