Description: Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed strong political will to engage in direct bilateral talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymir Zelenskyy for the first time since the start of the war. The announcement comes on the precipice of the London meeting between representatives from EU countries, Ukraine and the US scheduled for Wednesday. Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump have expressed their dissatisfaction of the stalled – out negotiations and indicated the US might withdraw from the process if immediate steps weren’t undertaken to achieve initial agreement on a long-awaited ceasefire. Putin unilaterally declared an Easter 30 – hour ceasefire which was violated by both sides according to Russian media sources. Zelenskyy has expressed Ukraine’s position to engage in direct talks with Russia, but an initial long-term ceasefire had to be predeterminable and respected by both sides. Initial indications stipulate that a ceasefire on civilian targets could be potentially agreed in line with the meeting in London.
Impact: Russia and Ukraine facing diplomatic pressure from the US need to deliver on their political willingness and pledges for peace by laying the groundwork for long – lasting peace through agreeing on a stable and constructive ceasefire. The US has repeatedly reiterated they would withdraw from the entire process if the negotiations were further stalled out. Ukraine still finds itself in a proverbial political limbo between unwavering support from European countries and transactional and conditional support from the US while facing constant Russian aggression. Russia and the US are engaged in high stakes diplomatic transactions as the US has inserted itself as the main mediator as much as Russia has imposed themselves in the US – Iran negotiations. The meeting in London would probably deliver some sort of an agreement proposal which both Ukraine and Russia would be compelled to respect, which in turn would be under consistent pressure from the revolving situation on the battlefronts. Direct negotiations are still a far cry from reality with the US still directly vested in the talks, however, the absence of constructive results could force the US to reconsider their mediating position.