It was quite a contrast.
On Thursday, a US Pentagon delegation was in Kyiv. They were talking to President Zelensky about a draft plan to end the war in Ukraine.
The same day, on Russian state TV, President Putin was in military fatigues, addressing army chiefs about continuing the fight.
We have our tasks, our goals, the Kremlin leader declared. The chief one is the unconditional achievement of the aims of the special military operation.
The Izvestia newspaper suggested that Putin's command post visit was meant as a signal to America indicating a willingness to negotiate, albeit on Russia's terms.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin alleges that it hasn't received anything official from Washington regarding a peace plan. However, a 28-point draft proposal has leaked, suggesting terms that appear to favor Russia's interests.
The proposal reportedly emerged after talks in Miami involving a Russian envoy, and includes provisions for Ukraine to cede parts of the Donbass and limit its armed forces, as well as pledging not to join NATO.
The Kremlin has not confirmed the specifics of this plan but advises Kyiv to seize the opportunity to negotiate. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Putin, emphasized that the Russian military's effectiveness should persuade Ukraine's leadership to strike a deal soon.
As negotiations swirl, pro-Kremlin commentators express confidence in Russia’s eventual success, regardless of the outcome of peace talks. Yet, the pressure on Russia increases as its military and economic situation faces significant challenges, leading many to speculate if now is the time for Putin to reevaluate his strategy.
Despite this, the full details of the peace plan are still unclear, setting the stage for potentially intense diplomatic engagements in the coming days.
For now, however, Russia's ongoing war maintains its momentum, leaving many wondering how this will ultimately unfold.
