Rosenberg: US diplomatic push provides little hope for imminent Ukraine peace

For me, essentially the most telling assertion of the day was from Vladimir Putin’s overseas coverage aide Yuri Ushakov. He took half within the St Petersburg talks.

Ushakov mentioned that Steve Witkoff had advised President Putin concerning the discussions in Oslo and (as Witkoff seen them) “new approaches from the Europeans and Kyiv”.

The Kremlin adviser was clearly unimpressed by what he heard.

“When it comes to resolving the Ukraine disaster, there wasn’t a lot there that was helpful,” commented Ushakov.

Later Russian state TV requested him concerning the prospects for peace.

“I do not know the way shut we’re getting,” Yuri Ushakov mentioned, “however issues are shifting in that route.”

All fairly obscure.

It appears that evidently President Putin does not really feel below stress proper now to finish the conflict.

He is aware of that Ukraine’s air defences are below extreme pressure.

He is aware of that winter is coming and should effectively view the chilly climate as a possibility to pound Ukraine into submission.

He is aware of, too, that there’s a US president within the White Home who clearly desires a much bigger, higher, extra worthwhile relationship with Moscow.