Ukraine peace talks: expert says U.S. role growing but progress unclear

Diplomatic efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine remain at an early and uncertain stage, despite increased international engagement.

In an interview with AnewZ, Ukrainian policy expert Dmytro Kavun of Dignitas Ukraine highlighted the growing role of the United States in engaging both Moscow and Kyiv, while warning that tangible outcomes have yet to emerge.

"I think it’s important to realise that these talks are a way to show that the United States is engaging both sides – Russia and Ukraine – and trying to broker a peace agreement," he said.

Kavun stressed that the negotiations remain at an early phase.

"These are talks, more or less," he noted. "We have heard President Zelenskyy say that progress is being made, but how much progress remains unknown."

While there are some positive signals, he emphasised that no concrete agreement has yet been reached.

"We would like to see something on paper," he added. "We need agreement on both sides to actually gauge whether this is going to go through or not."

He described the negotiations as a process in which both sides are testing limits.

"This is testing the red lines," Kavun explained. "Testing how much each side is willing to agree and how far they are prepared to proceed."

Kavun argued that Russia is continuing military pressure during the talks.

"It doesn’t look like Russia is making commitments," he warned. "We’ve seen continued attacks on Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure, trying to pressure Ukraine into accepting Russia’s terms."

Those terms, he noted, include territorial demands.

"They want to keep land, including the Donetsk region," Kavun said, adding that Ukraine has made clear it will not accept such concessions.

"There are consequences for accepting agreements and land concessions," he stressed.

Kavun concluded that negotiations are continuing, but cautioned against expectations of a rapid breakthrough.

"The situation is evolving," he said. "The talks are going on, but whether there is real progress and commitment to an agreement remains to be seen."

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