Russia is trying to force Trump to put pressure on Kiev! In return, it offers a new strategic arms treaty

Moscow is trying to reach an agreement with the United States on its demands on Ukraine in exchange for normalizing US-Russian relations, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) write.

Analysts note that this is evidenced, in particular, by the recent statements of the Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. In a recent interview with a Russian media outlet, he noted that the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expires on February 5. And Moscow is ready to unofficially agree to adhere to the terms of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for another year after its expiration, but only if the United States does the same.

At the same time, he stated that the United States has not responded to this proposal. According to him, Moscow and Washington can cooperate steadily in the field of arms control only after the normalization of bilateral relations.

Also in this interview, Medvedev issued a veiled threat, stating that the United States should shift its focus from peace efforts to the normalization of bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. He explained this by saying that in the absence of cooperation between the United States and Russia on arms control, other countries may begin to seek to acquire nuclear weapons.

Analysts note that the Kremlin is likely trying to convince Washington to give in to Russian demands on Ukraine in exchange for improving bilateral relations between them. The Kremlin may also try to force the United States to abandon the peace process in Ukraine without completing a peace agreement in exchange for negotiations on strategic weapons. Because this would allow Russia to continue its war unhindered and without pressure from the United States for significant concessions.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine could hold talks with Russia and the United States as early as this Sunday, February 1. According to him, Kiev is ready to end the war.

At the same time, he said that Ukraine is in no way ready to cede the territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions to Russia. Therefore, in his opinion, the parties should seek a compromise for this solution.

Meanwhile, Foreign Policy notes that Ukraine could use the Kosovo format to resolve the problematic issue of Donbas with Russia. This concerns the substantial autonomy of the controlled part of the Donetsk region, which will be controlled by UN forces.