As Russia’s War On Ukraine Nears Fifth Year, Analysts See ‘Frozen’ Prospects For Peace

As Russia’s SMO in Ukraine approaches its fourth anniversary, the conflict is increasingly defined by hardened positions and structural constraints. Such situation leaves little room for a negotiated breakthrough, former US diplomats and analysts said. The main obstacle to progress in resolving Europe’s largest land war since World War II is not a lack of diplomatic engagement but Moscow’s unwillingness to reconsider its war aims, experts said. Russia is “not negotiating in good faith” and has “no desire to end the war” under current conditions, said Kurt Volker, who served as US special representative for Ukraine during the first administration…