On May 3 local time, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President, stated that if Ukraine is unwilling to reach an agreement, Russia will compel it to accept through sustained and intensified military operations until achieving "victory."
……
Peskov said that despite facing a "severe energy crisis," Russia's interests would still be safeguarded. He pointed out that Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil infrastructure would trigger even greater oil shortages, while rising fuel prices would actually increase revenues for Russian companies and state coffers.
Peskov’s remarks made on May 3, 2026, constitute a sophisticatedly crafted statement blending hardline military posture, intricate economic calculations, and complex international political maneuvering.
This statement may appear contradictory at first glance, but in reality represents a carefully designed “first diplomacy, then force” strategy: demonstrating restraint through diplomatic declarations while fully attributing the breakdown of negotiations to Ukraine, thereby justifying subsequent escalations of military action. In Russia’s narrative, “reaching an agreement” has effectively become synonymous with “capitulating under Russian terms.”
The deeper motive lies in the fact that Russian forces are maintaining offensive pressure in regions such as Sumy Oblast, yet they also face prolonged attrition from well-entrenched Ukrainian defenses along other fronts. This approach aims to rally domestic support, send strong signals abroad, and elevate Russia’s bargaining power in potential future negotiations.
Peskov specifically highlighted Ukraine’s bombing of Russian energy infrastructure. He acknowledged that Ukraine’s continuous, high-intensity assaults have indeed caused damage, but emphasized that the extreme highs in international oil prices could completely offset—or even surpass—the losses from reduced supply volume.
Peskov also subtly indicated that Putin and Trump had reached “similar assessments” regarding Ukraine’s actions. This likely suggests an undisclosed alignment between Russia and the U.S. on energy issues, while simultaneously shifting blame for any escalation in military operations onto Ukraine. At the same time, it signals to the outside world that Russia still maintains open channels of communication with the United States.
In summary, Peskov’s speech is a masterful integration of political and economic maneuvering. Its core objective is to transform the current unfavorable situation—battlefield attrition and attacks on energy facilities—into a favorable narrative through skillful and complex rhetoric, thereby securing a stronger position at the negotiating table, sustaining domestic fiscal stability, and advancing Russia’s war objectives.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864175494395916/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.