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Kremlin Obfuscates Peace Talks as Fighting Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine

Washington, D.C. – As a US envoy met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 2nd to discuss a US-Ukrainian peace proposal, the Kremlin is attempting to manage public perception of the talks, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated that Russia does not intend to conduct negotiations through a “megaphone” or “through the media.” Experts suggest Russia is setting conditions to obscure its likely rejection of the peace deal, as officials continue to insist on maximalist war demands.

The ISW reports that despite these diplomatic efforts, fighting remains intense in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces launched a series of drone strikes on the night of November 30th, targeting critical infrastructure and civilian areas in Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv oblasts. Ukrainian forces claimed to have downed 63 drones while 26 hit their target

While Russia claimed the seizure of Pokrovsk, ISW assesses this to be premature, highlighting that Russian forces have incurred significant casualties in their monthslong campaign to seize Pokrovsk. The Ukrainian 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces also reported that Russian forces had become bogged down in urban warfare within Pokrovsk.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s European allies are bolstering the country’s defense capabilities. The Netherlands announced a contribution of 250 million euros to fund NATO states’ purchases of US-made weapons for Ukraine, and a joint agreement was signed to produce Ukrainian drones in both countries.

The ISW also notes the Russian military’s continued efforts to restructure its forces, including the reorganization of naval infantry brigades into divisions, potentially in preparation for a future conflict with NATO. This restructuring includes the formation of at least eight new Russian divisions since December 2022.

Adding to regional tensions, Lithuanian authorities temporarily suspended operations at Vilnius International Airport due to repeated balloon incursions from Belarusian airspace, which ISW assesses are likely part of Russia’s broader “Phase Zero” effort aimed at psychological condition-setting for a possible NATO-Russia war.

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