Why the Latest Ukraine Peace Talks Show No Real Breakthrough
Fresh diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine have revealed one clear message from Moscow — President Vladimir Putin is not prepared to accept any peace deal currently offered.
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| Inside Putin’s Mind: Why Russia Isn’t Ready for Peace in Ukraine Yet |
Following five hours of negotiations with U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed that “no compromise” has been reached.
This aligns with Putin’s escalating rhetoric. In recent remarks, he attacked Kyiv’s government as a “thieving junta,” accused Europe of undermining peace talks, and claimed that Russia continues to dominate the battlefield.
Putin Projects Confidence — But Is It Real?
Russian state media has repeatedly aired images of Putin in military uniform, analyzing battlefield maps and celebrating territorial gains — many of which Ukraine disputes.
Nearly four years into the full-scale invasion, Putin appears determined to convince the West that:
He is winning — and he has no reason to stop now.
Analysts believe Putin wants global powers to believe he cannot be pressured — not by Europe, not by Zelensky, and not even by a potential Trump administration.
A War Machine That Never Stops — But Needs Fuel
Putin’s leadership can be compared to a runaway vehicle with no brakes and no reverse gear — fast, loud, and difficult to stop.
But even unstoppable machines require resources:
- Russia’s budget deficit is growing
- Oil and gas revenue is dropping
- Putin himself has admitted to economic “imbalances”
- Key industries are shrinking instead of expanding
To sustain a long war, money must keep flowing — and that is where Russia’s vulnerability may finally emerge.
The Big Unknown
As the conflict enters another year, a critical question looms:
When will economic strain force Putin to rethink his military goals — if ever?