The Telegraph: Kremlin uses peace talks as tool for war against the West

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given no real guarantees that he will not invade Ukraine again. Instead, the Kremlin is trying hard to break down Western red lines to isolate Ukraine from its allies and the US from Europe, writes The Telegraph columnist Bob Seeley.

The article notes that Russia is already trying to block progress made in White House talks. Thus, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that it would reject “any scenarios“ involving NATO troops in Ukraine, threatening an “uncontrolled escalation“ with “unforeseen consequences”. Russia also seems determined to drive a wedge between the US and the UK, claiming that the UK is undermining the talks.

"Having lured Trump to the idea of a deal, the Kremlin is now trying to dictate terms and will relentlessly try to break down Western red lines to isolate Ukraine from its allies and the US from Europe. Russia's negotiating tactic is divide and conquer“, notes The Telegraph journalist.

As the publication emphasizes, Putin wants more strategically valuable Ukrainian land, and with it at least three cities that would take Russian troops years to conquer and which could be used as a potential strategic springboard in the event of a new round of war.

At the same time, he sees Western leadership as short-lived and weak, writes Seeley.

"Western opposition no longer deters Russia. Putin believes he has strategic patience and can eventually wear down Ukraine and the West. How many Western leaders who negotiated in Washington will still be in power in five years?“

The Telegraph predicts that if a peace deal is reached, Russia will undoubtedly continue what it is trying to do in Georgia and Moldova, using pro-Kremlin oligarchs and leaders, undermining the independence of these countries and gradually drawing them into Moscow’s orbit. In that case, the Ukrainian conflict will not end, but will only enter a new phase, but a much more dangerous one than now.

Donald Trump has previously said that any final agreement will depend on negotiations between Putin and Zelensky, which he claims he intends to organize. So far, however, Putin has shown a willingness only to accept a deal that leaves Ukraine vulnerable to Russia and its deadly army. He refuses to see Zelensky as an equal and Ukraine as a state, Sealey concludes.

Security guarantees for Ukraine

Earlier, UK Defense Secretary John Healy effectively denied this information. He noted that London is ready to send its troops to Ukraine, but only after a ceasefire with Russia is reached. He also noted that the "coalition of the willing" is ready to send its troops to Ukraine on the first day of the ceasefire to help ensure peace.

For his part, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that he had stated that Ukraine's membership in NATO is not under discussion, but that security guarantees such as "Article 5" are being discussed. Also, according to Rutte, Ukraine can be provided with security guarantees from various countries.