Freeze on New Talks
🗓 On Wednesday (Nov 12), Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry announced it won’t hold new talks with Russia before the end of the year. Kyiv says past rounds brought no real progress, so it’s hitting pause on diplomacy for now.
Stalled Diplomacy vs. Battlefield
Analysts warn that the stalled talks could favor Moscow. With battlefield dynamics tilting in Russia’s direction, any meeting could leave Ukraine on the back foot. At the same time, Kyiv is testing Washington’s commitment—hoping for more military aid and political pressure on Russia.
Kyiv's Stand
🇺🇦 First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya said he wasn’t surprised by the deadlock. He noted that Russian envoys avoided concrete proposals, focusing instead on working groups to give a sense of action.
Moscow's Counter
🇷🇺 Maria Zakharova blasted Kyiv’s move as proof it doesn’t want peace. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted Russia stays open to talks but claimed Ukraine "refuses to discuss anything." Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is ready for a second Russia–U.S. summit in Budapest, though no date is set.
US and EU Moves
🔍 China Institute expert Su Xiaohui says the US hasn’t dropped peace efforts but prefers Europe to foot the bill. Ukraine’s strategy, she adds, is to push for more U.S. long-range support and a firm political commitment.
💶 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a €6 billion package for Kyiv, tapping frozen Russian assets. But Belgium, home to a major clearinghouse, is warning of legal risks if it goes it alone—pushing for an EU-wide safety net before any funds move. A revised proposal is due by mid-December.
Looking Ahead
🔮 With both sides dug in and EU capitals divided, a breakthrough before year-end seems unlikely. For now, Ukraine’s diplomatic timeout sets the stage for a high-stakes winter of negotiations, military aid debates, and global watchfulness. 🕊️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
