Moscow may only be ready for negotiations after Ukraine takes ground in Donbas – Podolyak
Mykhailo Podolyak (Photo:Office of the President)
Politically and psychologically Russia is not yet ready for real negotiations and the withdrawal of its troops from Ukraine, advisor to the head of the President’s Office Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter on Nov. 13.
He said such a withdrawal and talks would happen only after the liberation of the Russian-occupied cities in eastern Ukraine.
“War support in (Russia) is decreasing,” Podolyak said. “In (Russian) society, an opinion is starting to form: ‘It’s time to end it’. (But) politically and mentally Russia is still not mature enough for real negotiations and troop withdrawal. But it will happen. Right after Donetsk or Luhansk are liberated.”
Earlier, the U.S.-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War stated that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kherson fuels an ideological split between pro-military figures and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, undermining the confidence of his supporters.
ISW analysts noted that Alexander Dugin, who is seen as one of the ideologists of the "Russian world," had openly criticized the Russian leader.
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