ISW experts explained why the Kremlin has once again rejected a freeze on the front lines

During a meeting in Omsk, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on Moscow and Kyiv to halt hostilities along the current line of contact and return to negotiations. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin pretended not to hear this initiative.

Later, the Russian dictator’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Russia has no intention of freezing the front lines and is determined to achieve its initial demands. Moscow continues to insist on Ukraine’s complete surrender, demanding the handover of four Ukrainian regions even before any dialogue begins.

According to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Putin used this platform to send yet another message to his own people. Against the backdrop of falling approval ratings, a dire economic situation, and significant losses on the front lines, the Kremlin is preparing Russians for a long and grueling war.

Source: ISW report.

As a reminder, during a face-to-face meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed suspending hostilities in Ukraine and returning to the negotiation process based on the 2022 Istanbul agreements.