The meeting in Moscow and the subsequent political signals from the US mark the beginning of a new stage in the international diplomatic game over the conflict in Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by security expert Yordan Bozhilov and journalist Valery Todorov on BNT.
According to Bozhilov, the three-hour conversation between the US President's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin marks the beginning of a new "front" - the struggle for the White House's consciousness. According to him, Russia will strive to build a more favorable image in front of Trump, in the hope that this will lead to a change in the US position regarding military aid to Ukraine, as well as a softer approach towards Moscow.
"Russia is trying to get out of the international isolation it finds itself in. Putin aims to influence the US president's attitude towards the conflict by presenting himself in a more positive light," Bozhilov said. He added that in this context, US sanctions would have a limited effect, especially given the modest volume of bilateral trade and the risk of economic shocks for major economies such as China and India.
Journalist Valery Todorov also stressed that the meeting signaled the beginning of a new diplomatic dynamic. According to him, the productivity of the talks announced by Trump was a surprise given the low expectations. "This is a new phase of the political game. Moscow is trying to avoid a hard ultimatum from Washington, and Trump is looking for ways to demonstrate international activity," Todorov said.
The possibility of a moratorium on air strikes has also been mentioned in the context of recent events - an idea attributed to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. However, Bozhilov and Todorov assessed this option as unlikely, since Russia is unlikely to give up one of its main tactical advantages.
Bozhilov pointed out that at this stage there are no real signs of Moscow's readiness to negotiate peace. "Russia will strive for tactical successes on the battlefield in order to be able to emerge from the conflict with a political victory in front of its own society", the expert commented.
Regarding the European role in the conflict, Bozhilov stressed the importance of preserving the Helsinki principles and the European security architecture. "Support for Ukraine is not only a moral but also a strategic issue for Europe," he pointed out.
Todorov, for his part, emphasized the participation of European leaders in the consultations between Washington and Kiev, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. This, he said, is a clear sign that Europe will bear the brunt of Ukraine's reconstruction and should be an active participant in negotiating the region's future.
Both analysts remain skeptical about the possibility of a ceasefire any time soon. According to them, a realistic scenario involves more sustained diplomatic efforts, gradual agreements, and a balance between military action and political pressure.