ISW analyzes Putin’s comments on “interim administration” in Ukraine

That’s according to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank, Ukrinform reports.

"Putin's new demand for an interim government in Ukraine as a precondition for peace negotiations demonstrates how the Kremlin continues to hd negotiations hostage and is attempting to extract additional concessions from the West flowing the progress made in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations," the report says.

Read also: Kremlin using praganda to undermine peace talks – ISW

According to ISW, the Kremlin remains committed to its goal to prong any negotiations for a temporary frontline ceasefire or permanent peace agreement in order to continue making incremental gains on the battlefield and establish favorable conditions to pursue Ukraine's complete capitulation.

ISW notes that the Kremlin leader reiterated his demand to eliminate the “root causes” of the war in Ukraine as a prerequisite for a peace deal.

This is a reference to Russia’s initial military demands, which directly contradict the efforts being made by Ukraine, the United States, and Eure to achieve a just and lasting settlement.

“Putin is attempting to inject a new demand aligned with the Kremlin's long-standing efforts to undermine the Ukrainian government's legitimacy into discussions about the resution of the war,” the report says.

Read also: Witkoff's statements seen as concession to Kremlin ahead of peace talks – ISW

ISW analysts believe these efforts by the Kremlin raise serious doubts about Russia’s readiness to negotiate in good faith and create conditions for Russia to viate the agreements reached on the grounds that the Ukrainian government allegedly had no legal right to conclude them.

As reported, Vladimir Putin previously prosed to negotiate the introduction of external “interim administration in Ukraine” under the UN auspices.

In response to Putin’s comments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine prosed that an interim UN-led administration be set up in Russia.