„There is a big discrepancy – the US side is talking about freezing the conflict and starting negotiations, and Russia is talking about comprehensive negotiations to resolve the conflict while the fighting continues. Currently, Russia has not backed down one millimeter from its initial request, which began 3 years ago.“
According to him, there is a big discrepancy between what Donald Trump announced and Vladimir Putin's official statement.
„Putin said that a memorandum between Russia and Ukraine is yet to be drawn up and that the original source of the conflict must be eliminated. Russia is talking more about creating a comprehensive agreement for a permanent settlement of the peace process than about what Trump is talking about - a ceasefire, a truce and the start of negotiations,“ explained Keremedchiev to bTV.
According to the expert, at the moment Trump definitely does not want to exert the pressure he can exert on Russia.
“It is clear that Putin is playing with him. He has mechanisms to exert pressure, but he does not do so, and thus gives Russia the opportunity to continue advancing and fulfilling its tasks with great casualties on the battlefield,“ he added.
According to him, there is also a big difference in the US attitude towards negotiations with the two countries.
“If Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, the Minister of Finance were negotiating with Ukraine, only Witkoff, who is Trump's special envoy, is negotiating with Russia. Sending only one person with President Putin's really well-rounded and competent team and putting maximum pressure on the entire administration on Ukraine shows the imbalance in the negotiations“, he noted.
According to Milen Keremedchiev, the US administration is putting pressure on Ukraine and this is leading the country to reach its red lines.
“The pressure comes from the antipathy that Trump feels towards Zelensky. From the very beginning, he has blamed him for this investigation into him and the impeachment attempt in his first term based on the publications about the schemes carried out by Biden's son, Hunter, in Ukraine. Since then, there has been personal hostility, and Trump's personal relationships often come to light in the negotiations“, he added.
According to him, it is rather moving towards endless negotiations, stalling for time and kicking the ball, which will take attention away from the main goal - the ceasefire.