Military expert names main reason for Shoigu's statement on negotiations

He expressed this opinion on the Espreso TV channel.

"Russia has come to the conclusion that they have not achieved their strategic goal at this stage of the war. In particular, they cannot eliminate Ukrainian statehood and completely return Ukraine. That is why, for propaganda purposes, they announced that the so-called LPR and DPR had become part of the Russian Federation," Chernyk explained.

The expert explained why Russia started talking about negotiations and peace.

"Now they are setting a specific task at least to reach the administrative borders of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Today, Avdiivka and Bakhmut are direct obstacles to the realization of these tasks. Putin needs at least some victories before spring. They will find an explanation for the attacks in Kyiv and other areas as a distraction. It is in this perspective that we should look at why Shoigu started talking about negotiations and peace. After all, they believe that they have enough forces and means to completely seize Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and they are already testing the world to see if the topic of peace can be accepted. This scenario is very dangerous for Ukraine," he added.

• On September 26, at a meeting with the generals, Shoigu said that the war with Ukraine is planned to last at least until 2025. 
• On October 30, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Russia remains ready for political discussions on the settlement of the war with Ukraine and further coexistence with the West "on a realistic basis."