Russian experts have expressed cautious optimism regarding the latest diplomatic progress toward settling the Ukraine crisis, noting that Russia’s security concerns are finally being heard and urging Europe to adopt a more realistic position.
The developments follow a two-day trilateral meeting involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine that concluded on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Marking the first direct engagement among the three countries since February, the talks set off a flurry of diplomatic activity. On Thursday, U.S. special envoys met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow before traveling to Dublin, Ireland, for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The intensified diplomatic efforts have left Russian analysts cautiously hopeful about the prospects for peace.
"We should note that Russia expressed its concerns back in 2021 and 2022, before the special military operation began, indicating that European military buildups did not take Russia’s interests into account. These concerns have now been heard; the United States acknowledges them and is willing to discuss them," said Kirill Koktysh, a professor of political theory at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
During the meetings, U.S. envoys conveyed that the European Union hopes to join the next round of peace talks. President Putin said that Moscow has always been open to dialogue with the EU, but emphasized that European nations must "make up their minds as to what they want: peace or war in Ukraine."
Echoing the president's sentiments, Andrey Kortunov, academic director of the Russian International Affairs Council, expressed hope that Europe's gradual policy re-evaluation will ultimately lead to a more pragmatic stance.
"Europe has begun to slowly and painfully re-examine its policies. Of course, we all hope that this process of rethinking, and the recognition of the current dynamics and realities of the conflict, will ultimately cause European countries to adopt a more realistic position," he said.
Russian experts urge Europe to take realistic stance as diplomatic efforts intensify
