ISW experts have no doubts. This is how Putin sees the war with NATO

Analysts from the Institute of War Studies (ISW) commented on the “peace proposal” submitted by Vladimir Putin. In their opinion, the Russian president's move confirms the primary goal of destroying Ukrainian statehood. Experts have no doubt that a possible victory in Ukraine is perceived as a condition for initiating an armed conflict with NATO.

War in Ukraine. What do they mean “peace proposals” Putin?

The new report indicates that the Kremlin regularly feigns interest in the negotiations, but at the same time seeks to maximize territorial gains, as evidenced by, among others, offensive actions in the Kharkov region. Moreover, ISW analysts are convinced that ultimately Russia's victory in Ukraine will eliminate the threat from Kiev as Moscow's potential opponent in the war with NATO.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday during a peace summit in Switzerland that the agreed plan of action would be presented to the Russian Federation so that the real end of the war could be recorded at the next peace summit.

– Russia is not here now. Why? Because if Russia wanted peace, there would be no war. We must decide together what a just peace means for the world and how it can be achieved in a truly lasting way, argued the Ukrainian leader.

This is what the end of the war would look like? This is what Vladimir Putin wants

Ahead of a peace summit in Switzerland, Putin outlined his conditions for ending the war, which has made Russia the world's record holder in terms of sanctions and has brought its worst losses since World War II. According to Western intelligence, the number of dead and injured exceeded 500,000 people. Putin demanded that Ukraine leave four occupied regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia – and withdraw its troops from there. Putin also emphasized that the transfer of these territories, as well as Crimea and Sevastopol, to Russian control should be recognized in international documents.

Putin's next condition was that Ukraine not join NATO and maintain a neutral and non-aligned status, free from nuclear weapons. He also expects Ukraine to undergo “denazification” and “demilitarization” and ensure the rights of the Russian-speaking population. The West, on the other hand, would lift all sanctions imposed on Russia.

Putin called these conditions a “real peace proposal” that would help end the war and gradually restore “good-neighborly relations” with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the proposal, calling it an unacceptable ultimatum, comparing his actions to those of Adolf Hitler, who demanded giving up part of Czechoslovakia, ensuring that his demands would end there.