We'll never know. But I heard rumors that Putin was willing to retreat to the Donbass and Crimea in 2022.
Zelensky said no. He wanted Ukraine to recapture all the Russian occupied territories of Ukraine.
He should have gone for a ceasefire in 2022. He would have kept more land than now.
Trump was basically criticizing Zelensky. He had more “cards” in 2022 than right now because his army is getting depleted. Zelensky would rather fight to the Last Ukrainian but Trump won’t let him do that.
“He should have gone for a ceasefire in 2022. He would have kept more land than now.”
True, but he’s socked away much more grift since then.
Russia had more Ukrainian territory in 2022 than they have now. They lost 50% of the territory they occupied back then.
Yes, there is evidence that Russia expressed a willingness to negotiate in 2022 during the early stages of its invasion of Ukraine. Throughout the year, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, repeatedly stated their openness to talks, though often with conditions that aligned with Moscow’s strategic goals.
For instance, in February 2022, prior to the full-scale invasion, Putin indicated a readiness to discuss security measures with the West, such as limits on missile deployments in Europe, during a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This came amid heightened tensions and Russian demands that NATO rule out Ukraine’s membership—demands the West rejected.
After the invasion began on February 24, 2022, peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine started as early as February 28 in Belarus. Multiple rounds followed in March and April, including talks in Turkey that produced the Istanbul Communiqué. This document outlined potential terms like Ukrainian neutrality and limits on its military, suggesting Russia was engaging in the process. Reports from participants and analysts, such as political scientists Samuel Charap and Sergey Radchenko writing in Foreign Affairs, indicate that both sides showed a “mutual willingness” to consider significant concessions at this stage, with a draft agreement nearly finalized. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who mediated early talks, also noted Putin made “huge concessions.”
Pre-Invasion (February 2022): Putin expressed openness to negotiate with the West on security issues, like missile limits in Europe, during talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but demanded NATO reject Ukraine’s membership—terms the West refused.
Early Talks (February 28, 2022): Russia and Ukraine began peace negotiations in Belarus just days after the invasion started, indicating an initial willingness to engage diplomatically.
March-April 2022: Multiple rounds of talks occurred, including in Turkey, producing the Istanbul Communiqué with potential terms like Ukrainian neutrality and military limits; a draft agreement was reportedly close, per analysts like Charap and Radchenko.
Concessions Claimed: Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett, a mediator, said Putin offered “huge concessions” in early talks, though specifics remain unverified.
Russia’s Conditions: Offers consistently included Ukraine recognizing Russian control over Crimea and parts of Donbas—terms Kyiv rejected as non-negotiable.
Breakdown (May 2022): Talks collapsed; Putin blamed Ukraine and Western interference, while Ukraine cited Russia’s ongoing attacks (e.g., Bucha massacre) as evidence of bad faith.
Late 2022 (December 25): Putin reiterated readiness to negotiate, but this followed deadly strikes on Kherson and Lavrov’s demand for Ukraine to cede occupied territories, suggesting a tactical motive.
Skepticism: U.S. officials (e.g., John Kirby) and Ukraine argued Russia’s actions—civilian attacks and escalation—undermined its stated willingness, pointing to a pattern of using talks to lock in gains or regroup (e.g., Meduza reports of a planned 2023 offensive).