Russia is bidding up: foreign relations expert on potential Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"In reality, the Russians have responded — non-verbally, of course, but they have responded. Yesterday’s ballistic missile strike on Odesa, the morning attack on Kryvyi Rih, and assaults on Ukrainian cities are more than just a reaction. They are a direct signal to the Americans that Russia will not enter negotiations now. No, what has been voiced is not enough for them," Kraiev noted.

According to an expert at the Foreign Policy Council Ukrainian Prism, both the American and Ukrainian delegations presented a clear and reasonable proposal: a 30-day humanitarian ceasefire to initiate talks and assess how the process unfolds.

"But we in Ukraine understand very well who the Russians are. We know their mindset and how they operate. Right now, they are making it clear that there will be no negotiations until Ukraine and the U.S. make additional concessions.

That is, the Russians, as they always do in their diplomacy, are trying to bid up even at this stage.  They seek to maximize their leverage before even agreeing to a temporary ceasefire, setting the stage for bargaining before the negotiations formally begin," Kraiev emphasized.

• U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has received positive signals from Russia but warned of severe financial measures if negotiations fail to yield results.
• According to Manhattan University Professor Igor Eisenberg, Trump hoped to detach Russia from China and engage it in the fight against the Chinese communist regime.