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Putin needs negotiations, but not peace: they help him keep Trump from putting pressure on Russia and weaken support for Ukraine
This was stated by former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst in an article for the Atlantic Council. In his assessment, the Kremlin’s main goal has not changed — to establish political control over Ukraine.
Herbst reminds: since the spring of 2025, Trump has proposed at least six options to cease or limit hostilities. Zelensky agreed to each one, and Putin rejected them all.
At the same time, Moscow received several concessions from Washington but offered nothing in return. Among them the author names the resumption of Russian diesel supplies to the U.S., easing of some sanctions restrictions, and the cessation of passing intelligence to Ukraine via satellite systems.
Herbst considers the agreement to hold talks in Abu Dhabi more a gesture toward Trump than a sign of the Kremlin’s readiness to compromise. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has already indicated that Moscow does not intend to change its terms, and the appointment of Medinsky as head of the delegation likewise does not promise serious concessions:
"Nothing points to real progress in Abu Dhabi. [...] The war will not end. It may even get worse," Herbst said.
He predicts the talks may end only with an agreement to a next round.
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