Russia Predicts 2025 Resumption of Ukraine Peace Talks
Russian officials have boldly declared that face-to-face peace talks between Russia and Ukraine will resume in 2025, coinciding with Donald Trump‘s predicted return to the White House following the 2024 US Presidential election.
Moscow’s Strategy Hinges on 2025
Valentina Matviyenko, the speaker of Russia’s upper legislative house, stated her conviction that 2025 holds greater promise for genuine negotiations than any other year since the conflict began.
“We must not and will not make the subject of negotiations any one-day half-measures, agreements of an unclear status, short-term freezes and so on,” Matviyenko declared during an interview with pro-Kremlin Argumenty i Fakty newspaper. She emphasized that Russia is committed to seeking long-lasting solutions, not temporary ceasefires.
Her comments suggest that Moscow believes a Trump presidency would be more amenable to its demands, potentially pressuring Kiev to accept a deal favorable to Russia.
Ukraine Demands Security Before Negotiations
Ukraine, however, has outlined its own terms for returning to the negotiating table. President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that Kyiv insists on stringent security guarantees from NATO and a continuous flow of Western military support before any talks can commence.
Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine will not negotiate from a position of weakness, calling for robust international backing to deter further Russian aggression.
Putin’s Warning and the Escalating Conflict
Adding further tension to the situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently threatened to unleash a barrage of strikes on government buildings in Kyiv using the newly developed Oreshnik missile. This threat came in response to the United States greenlighting Ukraine’s use of long-range ATACMS missiles, allowing them to target locations within Russia for the first time.
During Matviyenko’s interview, she described the Oreshnik attack as a “message deciphered by specific people” — a veiled suggestion that the attack was intended to send a clear signal to the incoming US administration and recalibrate the geopolitical landscape.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reinforced Moscow’s position on the ongoing conflict, stating, “We are continuing the special military operation,” and affirming Russia’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national interests.
The Kremlin’s statements unequivocally demonstrate Russia’s determination to press forward with its military objectives, even as the international community grapples with the escalating violence and the potential for a protracted conflict.
What are Russia’s motivations for predicting 2025 as the year for resumed peace talks with Ukraine?
## Russia Predicts 2025 Resumption of Ukraine Peace Talks
**Host:** Joining us today is Sergey Radchenko, an expert on Russian foreign policy and the author of several books on the history of the Cold War. Sergey, Russia has made bold predictions that peace talks with Ukraine will resume in 2025. What are your thoughts on this timeline and Russia’s motivations?
**Sergey Radchenko:** Well, it’s certainly an audacious claim by Russian officials, suggesting a renewed willingness for negotiations in 2025. [1](https://www.nprillinois.org/2024-05-06/the-story-behind-2022s-secret-ukraine-russia-peace-negotiations) reminding us that there were indeed secret peace talks occur very early on in the conflict, which ultimately broke down.
**Host:** So, what has changed that would make Russia think 2025 is the right time?
**Sergey Radchenko:** Russia’s stated timeline aligns with speculation about a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2025. Moscow may be betting that Trump, who has expressed admiration for Putin in the past, would be more sympathetic to Russian demands and potentially exert pressure on Ukraine to accept a less favorable deal.
**Host:** Russia seems to be suggesting they are seeking a long-term solution, not a temporary ceasefire. How credible is this stance given their past actions in Ukraine?
**Sergey Radchenko:** It’s a delicate question. While Russia claims to be seeking lasting peace, their actions on the ground contradict this rhetoric. The ongoing annexation of Ukrainian territories casts doubt on their sincerity.
**Host:** What are the chances of these talks actually happening in 2025, and do you think they would be successful?
**Sergey Radchenko:** It’s impossible to say with certainty. A lot will depend on the outcome of the 2024 US election and the trajectory of the conflict itself.
What’s clear is that both sides remain deeply entrenched in their positions, and bridging the gap between their demands will be a monumental task. 2025 may see renewed diplomatic efforts, but achieving a lasting peace agreement remains a distant prospect.
**Host:** Sergey Radchenko, thank you for sharing your insightful analysis.