The United States has expressed cautious optimism over the potential for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, but warned that Moscow’s demands remain unacceptably high.
Speaking in Munich on the state of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, VP JD Vance said, “I wouldn’t say that the Russians are uninterested” in bringing the conflict to a close. Rather, he suggested that progress is being hindered by the Kremlin’s insistence on significant concessions. “We think they’re asking for too much,” he added.
While the administration remains publicly restrained in its disclosures, Vance indicated that every four to five weeks, officials would “outline steps that need to be taken” as part of an incremental strategy to broker peace.
The next milestone, according to Vance, is securing a basic framework for talks. “We think that is the next big step that we would like to take,” he said, referring to efforts to bring both parties to the negotiating table.
Vance acknowledged that true resolution will likely require direct dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow.
“The administration believes it is probably impossible to mediate the conflict entirely without at least some direct negotiation between the two nations,” he said.
Ukraine, for its part, has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, but Vance noted that Russia has rejected the idea, viewing it as contrary to its strategic interests. “So we’ve tried to move beyond the obsession with the 30-day ceasefire,” he said.
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