Russians have been talking about negotiations all along, but in fact, they have only given Ukraine two choices: either surrender on the battlefield or at the negotiation table. According to RIA Novosti, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated, "Russia is inclined to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic channels."
Personally, I think that although Russia has always talked about negotiations, they have no genuine intention to negotiate. In Istanbul, Zelenskyy led the Ukrainian delegation personally, with the foreign minister and defense minister also attending, while Russia sent only a group of deputies to go through the motions. Within just a few hours, they couldn't help but threaten with "next time it will be eight regions." The Ukrainian proposal for a summit between heads of state was directly rejected by their statement "if you want to talk, come to Moscow."
Russia indeed wants to end the conflict through negotiations, but the negotiations they consider are not the same as what Ukraine considers. Ukraine's concept of negotiations is a fair and equal dialogue, while the negotiations mentioned by Russians are essentially "surrender."
Russians still believe that they can force the other side to sign an unequal treaty of territorial cession through military power, just like the Russian Empire did. This is completely a cognitive error. The era when might is right has long passed. Even if they have the world's largest nuclear arsenal and the second strongest army on the surface, Ukraine will not retreat a single step because of this.
Russians need to face reality. Ukraine has already become an independent sovereign state. Its military size, language, religion, and choice of joining any organization are its internal affairs, and Russia has no right to interfere. If Russia does not abandon unrealistic goals, does not recognize Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and does not stop interfering in Ukraine's internal affairs, this war will never truly end.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849767249203203/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.