Part 7/9:
Conversely, the dynamics of negotiation between the U.S. and Russia further complicate the situation. Recent discussions around peace talks have underscored a stark divide in expectations. Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, made it clear that Russia will not concede any territory, pointing to a rigid stance that contrasts sharply with the calls for territorial concessions from Ukraine.
Lavrov's statements were characterized by a refusal to acknowledge Ukraine's sovereignty, instead framing the conflict in terms of historical territorial concessions by the Soviet Union. This rhetoric fuels the impasse in negotiations and complicates the efforts by Western powers, who seek to facilitate peace discussions.