Putin weaponizes invocations of negotiation process to isolate Ukraine from partner support – ISW

The relevant statement was made by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Putin has routinely framed Ukraine as refusing concessions and likely seeks to use any ceasefire and negotiation window to allow Russian troops time to reconstitute and relaunch operations, thus depriving Ukraine of the initiative,” the report states.

Meanwhile, a ceasefire agreement that occurs soon enough to allow Russian forces to rest and refit this winter is extremely unlikely.

“Russia and Ukraine are currently opposed to one another on the terms of any such agreement, and it is highly unlikely that Russian and Ukrainian officials will agree to a ceasefire, let alone implement one, for some months,” the ISW noted.

According to the ISW, Russian forces will likely not have the opportunity to pause Ukrainian winter counter-offensives and reset before spring.

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