Witkoff–Kushner–Putin meeting in Moscow, Sept. 5 (Photo: Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS)
European and U.S. officials “are resigned” to the
Russo–Ukrainian war dragging
on through 2026 and into next year, Bloomberg reported
on Sept. 8.
“[Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin is intent on stepping up
attacks on Ukraine through the winter, testing its resistance and the resolve
of Kyiv’s allies, according to European officials familiar with the matte,” the
article said.
“President Donald Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve
Witkoff, made no significant progress at weekend talks in Moscow and Kyiv, the
officials said, asking not to be identified discussing policy issues.”
Putin showed no signs of softening his position, despite
recent signals from Washington to Moscow that new ideas were needed to revive
stalled peace talks, Bloomberg’s sources said.
One source said Russia’s plan for the next six months was to
intensify strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, seeking to make life
unbearable for civilians. Moscow also plans to step up hybrid attacks and
political interference in Europe to undermine support for Kyiv, the source
said.
“The Kremlin leader is betting he can emerge next spring
with a stronger hand, while keeping Russia’s increasingly strained economy
above water, the person said,” the report added.
“Serious negotiations are unlikely until at least next year,
said another person.”
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