Why Vladimir Putin is again putting forward new demands in the peace talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to impose new preconditions for peace talks, declaring the need for a "interim administration" in Ukraine under the auspices of the UN, the US and European countries, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe.

According to experts, the negotiations are being held as a ''bargaining coin'' to end the war, while Russian forces continue their advance on Ukrainian territory.

The new Russian demands are consistent with the Kremlin's attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government and demonstrate that Moscow is "holding the negotiations hostage", the report says.

"Putin is trying to introduce into the discussion of resolving the war a new demand related to the Kremlin's long-standing efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government.“

ISW analysts believe that Putin's new demand for the creation of an interim government in Ukraine as a prerequisite for peace talks shows how the Kremlin continues to "holding the negotiations hostage" and is trying to "blackmail" The West for further concessions following progress made in ongoing ceasefire talks.

"The Kremlin remains committed to its goal of continuing any negotiations for a temporary ceasefire on the front line or a permanent peace agreement in order to continue making gradual gains on the battlefield and create favorable conditions for achieving the full surrender of Ukraine“, the report said.

The media recalls that on March 27, Putin proposed to discuss the introduction of an interim administration in Ukraine under the auspices of the UN and a number of countries with the aim of holding elections.

In turn, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Georgy Tykhy, proposed an interim UN administration in Russia, starting from Vorkuta.

On March 28, the White House, commenting on the "idea" Putin, noted that the government in Ukraine is determined by the Constitution of the country and its people.

Vladimir Zelensky, in turn, said that Putin is afraid of negotiations with Ukraine and personally with the president. According to him, with such statements, the Russian president demonstrates that he does not want to end the war in Ukraine.