WP named Putin's key goal before negotiations with Ukraine.

According to the Washington Post, Russia will not negotiate with Ukraine until the Kursk region is returned, where the occupiers have resumed their offensive. According to Konstantin Remchukov, the editor-in-chief of the Russian 'Nezavisimaya Gazeta', Moscow is not going to engage in dialogue with the Ukrainian side until all Ukrainian soldiers are completely driven out of this area. Remchukov also noted that Putin does not want the Kursk region to become a subject of negotiations and also does not want to lose the territories that have been seized by Russia in Ukraine. According to Remchukov, Putin's statements about taking into account the 'realities on the ground' indicate Moscow's hope to quickly regain control over the region.

It is worth noting that although Russian troops continue to advance in Ukraine on all fronts, Putin himself is considering the possibility of negotiations. However, experts believe that he may have high demands, as he believes in his winning position. It seems that the decisive influence on Putin's decision may come from Trump's proposals. Gerard Araud, the former French ambassador to Washington, noted that the success of the negotiations will depend on whether Trump plans to support Ukraine.

Recently, Putin announced Trump's 'peace plan' for Ukraine.