St US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, during his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggested considering “realistic” positions in negotiations with Russia, he reported”Wall Street Journal”.
According to WSJ sources, Sullivan advised Zelensky to show openness to the very idea of dialogue:
“Two European diplomats familiar with the discussions said Sullivan advised Zelensky’s team to think about realistic demands and priorities in the talks, including reviewing the stated goal of regaining control of Crimea.”
This is when Ukraine expects a massive Russian attack
Senior US officials appear to be pushing Kyiv to start considering peace talks in case winter halts the momentum of the Ukrainian military, which recently retook Kherson.
In addition to the imminent onset of winter, there are also fears of inflation caused by rising energy and food prices, which explain the billions of dollars earmarked for weapons in Ukraine and the tens of thousands of casualties from both parties to the conflict.
The United States and its allies have promised to continue supporting Ukraine, but senior Washington officials are starting to openly question how much more territory can be liberated and at what cost.
Medvedev: Russia has not yet used its full arsenal
Meanwhile, in Europe, they seem to be even less optimistic about Ukraine’s chances of winning.
“There must be a mutual recognition that military victory, in the truest sense of the word, may not be attainable by military means, so other means must be employed,” said General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. he week in the United States and added: “Here too is an opportunity, a window for negotiations.”
“We are telling the Ukrainians that it is up to them when to do it,” a Western European diplomat quoted by the WSJ said, referring to the potential for the talks: “But it might be a good idea to do it earlier.”
There is also dissatisfaction in Washington that US military aid to Ukraine, already worth close to $19 billion, significantly exceeds the funds allocated by the EU.
Kuleba: We are well on our way to a “total victory” over Russia
US President Joe Biden also commented on the possibility of negotiations with Russia.
“It remains to be seen whether a judgment will be made on whether or not Ukraine is willing to compromise with Russia,” Biden said at the White House, adding, “Both sides will lick their wounds deciding what they are going to do next. winter and whether they will compromise or not.
Publicly, however, the Biden administration continues to unconditionally support Ukraine.
“It is our job to place them in the best position on the battlefield so that when and if there is an opportunity for diplomacy, they are in the best position at the negotiating table,” Sullivan said Thursday, noting, “The United States does not pressure on Ukraine. We are not calling for action from Ukraine.”
