The Individuals got the total VIP therapy on their go to to Moscow.
There was a motorcade from the airport, lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant, and even a stroll round Crimson Sq..
It felt like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been on extra of a vacationer path than the trail to peace.
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0:22
Trump’s envoys stroll round Moscow
They lastly acquired right down to enterprise within the Kremlin greater than six hours after arriving in Russia. And by that time, it was already clear that the one factor they’d come to Moscow for wasn’t on supply: Russia’s settlement to their newest peace plan.
In line with Vladimir Putin, it is all Europe’s fault. Whereas his friends had been having lunch, he was busy accusing Ukraine’s allies of blocking the peace course of by imposing calls for which might be unacceptable to Russia.
The Europeans, after all, would say it is the opposite approach spherical.
However the place there was hostility to Europe, solely hospitality to the Individuals – a part of Russia’s technique to distance the US from its NATO allies, and produce them again to Moscow’s aspect.
Picture:
Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff shaking arms in August. AP file pic
Russia desires to return to the 28-point plan that caved in to its calls for. And it believes it has the appropriate to due to what’s occurring on the battlefield.
It is no coincidence that on the eve of the US delegation’s go to to Moscow, Russia introduced the obvious seize of Pokrovsk, a key strategic goal within the Donetsk area.
It was a message designed to claim Russian dominance, and by extension, reinforce its calls for slightly than dilute them.
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0:47
‘Everybody have to be on this aspect of peace’
The opposite purpose I believe Vladimir Putin does not really feel the necessity to compromise is as a result of he believes Moscow and Washington need the identical factor: nearer US-Russia relations, which might solely come after the conflict is over.
It is easy to see why. Repeatedly on this course of, the US has defaulted to a place that favours Moscow. The way in which these negotiations are being performed is merely the most recent instance.
With Kyiv, the Individuals pressure the Ukrainians to return to them – first in Geneva, then Florida.
As for Moscow, it is the opposite approach round. Witkoff is pleased to make the lengthy in a single day journey, after which endure the lengthy wait forward of any viewers with Putin.
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All of it gives the look that on the subject of Russia, the US prefers to placate slightly than strain.
In line with the Kremlin, each Russia and the US have agreed to not disclose the main points of yesterday’s talks in Moscow.
I doubt Volodymyr Zelenskyy is crammed with hope.
