Moscow abandons Vatican talks: does Trump have a new peace plan?
23 May 2025 19:02
ANALYSIS FROM 
Despite diplomatic signals from Washington and symbolic gestures from the Vatican, the Kremlin is betting on war. Moscow has criticized the idea of negotiations in the Vatican and continues to advance on the frontline. Can the Vatican become a real platform for negotiations if Moscow has already expressed its “no”? What game is Donald Trump playing after his conversation with Putin and whether the US will become a weak link in supporting Ukraine – all this in the article
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia remain a distant prospect: Moscow is not in the mood for peace, but is preparing for further military pressure. This was stated by military expert Ivan Stupak in an exclusive commentary for
The Russian Federation has tasted blood – figuratively, but partly literally. They have made advances on the fronts and clearly see areas where Ukrainian defense is slipping,” Stupak said.
According to him, the Kremlin has formed a strategic vision: to exert maximum pressure on the front lines over the next two to three months, hoping for breakthroughs and the seizure of new territories. The main goal is the complete occupation of Donetsk region, as well as advances in Kharkiv, Sumy, and other border regions.
As long as the Russians have resources, as long as the equipment is being restored in warehouses, and the United States is impotent in supporting Ukraine, the Kremlin sees this as a window of opportunity,” Stupak said.
The expert emphasizes that the factor of American uncertainty plays a key role in the current dynamics of the war. Meanwhile, Russia is trying to seize the moment.
As for the negotiations, the expert is skeptical: Moscow, in his opinion, is not interested in a real dialog, but only in creating an information background.
Yes, there will be talk about memorandums, about Zelenskyy’s illegitimacy, and some loud statements. But the real background is active hostilities for at least the next 2-3 months,” Stupak concludes.
Trump under Kremlin influence: the dangers of a new negotiation scenario
After his conversation with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump may be completely drawn into the Russian scenario for resolving the war in Ukraine. This was stated by political analyst Igor Reiterovich, commenting on the latest diplomatic signals from the United States.
After talking to Putin, he fully accepted Russia’s plan. First, negotiations, and then a truce. And, in fact, we are now living according to the model or scenario of the Russian Federation,” Reiterovich emphasizes.
The political scientist warns that it is not just a matter of tactical statements, but a paradigm shift in the American approach to the war in Ukraine. Such a change could have far-reaching consequences not only for Kyiv but also for the entire Euro-Atlantic security system.
Perhaps now, in the next few days or weeks, Trump, his entourage, and the world media will be explained what is really going on. Sometimes there is a feeling that he does not fully understand the situation,” says Ihor Reuterovych.
The expert also points out that Trump’s reaction to his contact with Putin looks too carefree. However, the “hangover” comes a little later, meaning the political hangover.
At the same time, Reiterowicz does not rule out that the situation could still change. In his opinion, Trump’s course can be changed either by the Kremlin’s radical actions that force him to react or by pressure from the US Senate.
“The Senate is saying that they can do what they have long promised to do without the president, which is to impose large-scale sanctions against Russia,” Reiterovich said.
According to Reiterowicz, the United States, which until recently was one of Ukraine’s main strategic partners, risks becoming an observer rather than an active player in the war.
See also: A new round of talks between Ukraine and Russia in the Vatican: what are the chances of success?
Trump admitted it: Putin is not ready to stop the war – WSJ
During a closed call with European leaders, Donald Trump admitted that Putin is not ready to end the war against Ukraine, as he believes that Russia is “winning.” The Wall Street Journal reports this with reference to three sources familiar with the details of the conversation.
According to the WSJ sources, it was no surprise to European leaders that the Kremlin is not committed to peace. However, this was the first time that Trump himself had admitted as much, and it was a definite change in rhetoric, given his previous public statements about Putin’s willingness to negotiate.
Despite the new awareness of the Kremlin’s position, the WSJ notes that Trump has not taken steps toward a tougher policy, which both European allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hope for, in particular, new sanctions against Russia.
Read also: Ukraine is planning new talks with Russia: what is known about the format and venue
The Vatican as a platform for peace: are negotiations possible if Russia has already refused?
The idea of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia mediated by the Vatican, voiced by US President Donald Trump, has gained a lot of publicity. But while the world is talking about “hope,” Moscow is actually closing the door before it even opens.
After his phone call with Vladimir Putin, Trump wrote on social media that Ukraine and Russia would “immediately begin” peace talks. The American president even suggested that the Pope could mediate the process.
There is only one condition: these negotiations must be held exclusively between Russia and Ukraine. But perhaps with the help of the Pope,” Trump said.
Pope Leo XIV, for his part, said that the Vatican is “always ready to unite enemies,” but admitted that this is more of a hope than a plan.
We want peace. But the initiative still exists only at the level of an idea,” the pontiff said.
However, on May 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov directly questioned the idea of the Vatican as a negotiating platform.
“Imagine the Vatican as a venue for negotiations. It’s a little bit not elegant when Orthodox countries discuss the root causes of the conflict on a Catholic platform,” Lavrov said in Moscow.
He also mentioned the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and hinted that “the Vatican will not be very comfortable receiving delegations from two Orthodox countries under such conditions.”
In effect, Moscow made it clear that peace talks are not on the agenda, and the idea of involving the Vatican is unacceptable.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
