During the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years, Russia’s lead negotiator brought up an ominous bit of history Peter the Great’s 21-year war against Sweden.
His message? Russia is ready to dig in for the long haul, just like back then.
Despite heavy early losses, Peter rebuilt and eventually claimed victory.
Russia seems to be leaning on that same long-game strategy now.
The talks in Istanbul didn’t lead to a ceasefire just a prisoner exchange.
Ukraine’s key demand went unmet, while Russia doubled down on its original demands: Kyiv must surrender territory, shrink its military, and stay out of NATO.
Meanwhile, Putin’s team continues drawing questionable parallels between past imperial glory and today’s war.
The talks looked more like a performance than a path to peace, with both sides under pressure—Zelenskyy from the U.S., and Putin riding battlefield momentum.
Trump, watching from the sidelines, said nothing would change until he meets with Putin himself.
As the diplomacy failed, Russia launched another deadly attack in Ukraine.
One thing’s clear: Russia is signaling that unless Ukraine gives in, the demands and the war will only grow.
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