Austrian expert: If Russia sends Medinsky to negotiations, nothing can be expected

This opinion was expressed in an interview with Ukrinform by Gustav Gressel, military expert and lecturer at the National Defence Academy of the Austrian Armed Forces.

"No, I do not believe in serious peace negotiations. Negotiations will take place at some point, but the current ones are not serious. If the Russians send Medinsky, then there is nothing to expect. If they send someone else, then it will be clear that they are serious," the expert commented on the prospects for the peace process.

According to him, the key problem remains Putin's conviction that military victory in the war against Ukraine is possible.

“But the main problem is that Putin believes he can still win the war militarily. As long as he believes this, he will not agree to a real peace. Only when frontline reports destroy this belief will his position change,” Gressel believes.

He also expressed doubt that there would be any fundamental changes in the course of the war this year: “I don't see any fundamental changes happening this year. The American negotiating line is not consistent, and Russia is not interested in serious negotiations.”

Also, the expert noted that “processes on the Ukrainian and European sides aimed at better equipping Ukraine are unfolding this year.”

“For example, in 2025, Ukraine produced 12,000 ground drones, and in 2026, there will already be 50,000. Interceptor drones against reconnaissance UAVs and Shahed drones are being integrated more and more effectively. All this is gradually affecting the balance of power,” he said.

According to Gressel, the economic situation in Russia is gradually deteriorating, but the Kremlin still has some financial reserves.

“Certain resources remain — gold reserves, loans from China. But when these opportunities are exhausted, the question will arise of how long Putin will be able to improvise,” the expert stressed.

In his opinion, as long as Putin believes a military victory is possible, he will mobilize resources. “Only when this belief is broken will there be a real willingness to negotiate,” he stressed.

As reported by Ukrinform, Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov noted that during the trilateral talks in Geneva, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, did not deliver historical lectures, but only gave a brief example from history.

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