Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that Kyiv won’t enter fresh talks with Russia before the end of 2025, pointing to a lack of real progress in earlier rounds 🕊️.
Russia fired back, with spokesperson Maria Zakharova claiming Ukraine has "no willingness to achieve peace." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Moscow remains open to talks, but accused Kyiv of stonewalling.
Analysts note the battlefield tilt may favour Moscow, and suggest Kyiv is testing how far Washington will go on military support and pressure against Russia 🔥.
First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya said he wasn’t surprised by the deadlock, accusing Russia of avoiding concrete proposals and using working groups to give a false sense of diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said talks on a second Russia–U.S. summit in Budapest are still on the table, even though no date is set yet.
Associate research fellow Su Xiaohui from the China Institute of International Studies thinks Washington is reluctant to commit big resources, preferring Europe to foot more of the bill 💡.
In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this week a €6 billion package for Ukraine using funds from frozen Russian assets. Belgium pushed back, warning of legal risks and demanding shared liability across member states. A revised plan is due by mid-December.
Von der Leyen also laid out two backup options: tapping capital markets or pooling member contributions if the asset plan stalls. But tight budgets mean many EU governments aren’t keen on extra burdens, adding pressure on Belgium to agree.
With negotiations off the table until year-end and global players lining up behind Kyiv, all eyes are on Washington and Brussels for the next moves 👀.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
