Only two things can force Putin to ceasefire — U.S. analyst

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"Only two things can force Putin to agree to a ceasefire. The first and best option is a change in the balance of power that would threaten his territorial gains. And I am convinced that the moment he genuinely risks losing any part of the territories he illegally and brutally seized in Ukraine, he will be the first to sit down at the negotiating table. The second option, in my view, is far more troubling: an agreement that creates conditions for Putin to later achieve his goal, and his main goal is complete control over Ukraine," Brzezinski explained.

The analyst believes that pressure on Zelenskyy demanding elections be held in Ukraine could lead to political instability, which Russia would undoubtedly exploit.

"And here I'm concerned about the West's position, primarily the United States' negotiating position. This involves pressuring Ukraine to give up additional territories it currently controls, including territories with strategically important defensive lines in Donbas. There's also pressure to limit the size of Ukraine's Armed Forces—as if Ukraine, with an army one-third the size of Russia's, poses a threat to Russia. Zelenskyy is being pressured to agree to hold new elections, and this is a real recipe for political instability and, certainly, something Russia would try to exploit through disinformation and other covert tools to tilt the election results in its favor," he added.