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Posted on 05/21/2025 7:18:43 AM PDT by delta7
We have been reporting on the two different mindsets in Russian society these days: on the one hand, there’s a real engagement from the Vladimir Putin Government to rebuild diplomatic and commercial ties with the US administration of Donald J. Trump – this is personalized by Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
But on the other hand, there’s profound mistrust of Ukraine – or rather, of the Kiev regime – and a sense that maximalist goals in the war are the safest way to go. This school of thought can be best represented by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Kirill Dmitriev is the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Special Envoy of President Putin for investment and economic cooperation. He is also the greatest cheerleader for the peace process and diplomatic re-engaging between the US and Russia.
Russian sources report on his defense of the peace process against European warmongering:
“The dialogue between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is crucial for the U.S. to understand the root causes, essence, and possible solutions to the Ukraine conflict. The fact that this dialogue contributes to the balanced and constructive stance of the Trump administration is causing hysteria among European politicians and in European and British media. Western politicians and media are exerting titanic efforts to derail the constructive Russia-U.S. dialogue. We will continue working on potential mutually beneficial projects with the U.S. in investment and economic spheres.
Dmitriev also reports on the changing public perception in regards to the peace process: remember how the percentage of US citizens who view Russia as an enemy dropped from 70% in 2022 to 50% in 2025, a 20-point decrease over Biden’s term?
It seems that in Russia things are going even better.
Russians believe that Kiev broke all peace deals since 2014 when the Donbas wars started.
They believe the country weaponized by NATO against Moscow, and that Volodymyr Zelensky is illegitimate since his mandate ended a year ago and he rules by martial law.
To some, maximalism goals in the Ukraine are the safest path – and they find their voices amplified by people like Deputy Chair of the Russian Security Council, Medvedev.
Slavyangrad reported on how Medvedev said that many in Russia much prefer the path of Ukraine’s unconditional surrender:
“‘We are ready for negotiations without preconditions, but taking into account the realities on the ground and the proposals that have been formulated. And such negotiations can help find peace. But we must remember that there is another path for the Kiev regime, which has also been repeatedly stated.
This is the path of unconditional surrender. Such a formula for peace also exists in international law. To be honest, many in our country like it much more’, he said.
You can add to that the fact that it is generally expected in the Russian channels that Putin will unleash a big offensive in the summer.
“There is in all likelihood a new offensive coming: Mordvichev’s appointment to commander of the whole front very likely means that the High Command is planning a large offensive this summer. While Mordvichev’s appointment by itself does not necessarily lend credence to such an idea (his predecessor was 70, and by Russian law that is the age of retirement in the military), there is the undeniable fact that the amount of Russian personnel in the SМO zone has swollen to 680.000 troops if not even more. [Some] of these soldiers are currently being committed outside of rotations. There is a very good chance that they are being held in reserve for some good reason.”
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It appears people are awakening to the fact that the Russian Derangement Syndrome can be deadly.
We don’t see it reported in the media, but I imagine Russia has told Witkoff and others directly that the 4 goals of the SMO remain unchanged.
Despite this impasse, Trump and Putin both want to talk.
Despite NATO moving closer and closer to Russia’s border, despite the US orchestrating a coup inside of Ukraine, despite all that, Russia believes they have won the current war and nothing less than capitulation by Ukraine is acceptable.
If Ukraine refuses to accept any peace deal offered by Russia, the war will go on and thousands of people will die unnecessarily.
The RDS is a ‘real thing’ on FR.
I’m surprised your stalker isn’t here yet !! LOL.
Please spell out what these four goals are.
LOL, right because the West or Ukraine invaded Russia. Russian propaganda Idiocy
The ONLY honest part of this article is yes, the Russians in diplomacy ARE essentially demanding Ukraine's surrender.
Putin has a 5,000 word essay on the official Kremlin website, why Ukraine cannot be free and independent of Russia
Putin first said it was only Crimea, because its strategicly important to Russia.
Then Putin said it was to help save Russians in the oblast of Donbas. Now he is claiming a total of 5 oblasts.
Article by Vladimir Putin ”On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians“
The complete subjugation of Ukraine has always been Russia’s goal and is the root cause of the war.
How can you not like this guy?
From GROK, which is as good a general summary as any:
Russia’s stated goals for its “Special Military Operation” (SMO) in Ukraine, as articulated by Russian officials, primarily focus on four key objectives. These have been consistently mentioned in official statements and propaganda, though their precise interpretation and feasibility remain debated. Based on available information, including primary sources from Russian leadership and secondary analyses, the four main goals are:
Demilitarization of Ukraine: Russia aims to neutralize Ukraine’s military capabilities, ensuring it cannot pose a threat to Russian interests. This includes reducing Ukraine’s ability to maintain a strong armed force, particularly in relation to advanced weaponry supplied by Western nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials have emphasized this as a core objective since the operation’s onset in February 2022.
Denazification of Ukraine: This is a vague and propagandistic term used by Russia to justify its actions, claiming the need to eliminate alleged “neo-Nazi” or extremist elements within Ukraine’s government and society. The Kremlin has used this rhetoric to frame Ukraine as a threat to Russian-speaking populations and to delegitimize its leadership, despite no evidence of systemic Nazism in Ukraine’s government.
Ensuring Ukraine’s Neutral Status: Russia seeks to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO or hosting NATO military infrastructure, viewing this as a direct threat to its national security. The Kremlin has expressed concerns about NATO’s eastward expansion and insists on Ukraine adopting a non-aligned, neutral status to limit Western military influence near Russia’s borders.
Recognition of Territorial Gains: Russia demands international recognition of its annexed territories, including Crimea (annexed in 2014) and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, which it claimed following referendums in 2022 widely regarded as illegitimate. This goal includes securing a land corridor to Crimea and ensuring control over water supplies to the peninsula.
These goals have been reiterated in various forms by Russian officials, including Putin and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, though their scope has shifted over time due to battlefield realities. For instance, early ambitions of regime change in Kyiv have been scaled back, with a focus on consolidating control over occupied territories. Critics, including Western analysts, argue these objectives serve as pretexts for territorial expansion and undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty, with “denazification” and “demilitarization” lacking clear, achievable definitions. Public sentiment in Russia, as reflected in some polls, shows support for these goals but also growing fatigue and openness to peace negotiations, provided territorial gains are retained.
The sources indicate Russia remains committed to these objectives, either through military means or diplomacy, but faces significant challenges, including military losses, economic sanctions, and Ukraine’s resilience supported by Western aid.
Shouldn’t we wait for the Zeepers, who can read Russian Minds remotely, to tell us where Paul Serran is wrong?
LOL, sure, because Ukraine with no navy or airforce was a threat to Russia, which had the #2 military in the world.
This is why Finland dropped neutrality and hurriedly joined NATO as the only real protection against Russian imperialism.
That’s a pretty summary from what I’ve read.
We have far more population, military aged males, economic volume, manufacturing, high tech, military spending, military hardware, military man power, military tech, big strategic military systems, joint capability with our Intel community etc.
This is a case where the guy mass censoring and spewing the propaganda (us) talks about the enemies propaganda while in reality we block over 40 Russian media outlets, most of their government and social media.
We at one point even created this perception that unless we stop Russia in Ukraine they will invade Poland and others. Remember that narrative? What a bunch of poop. The garbage we pump out in support of our fake moral cause doesn't even pass the most simple common sense test. If we're going to sell a line of BS, at least make it believable.
On the global stage, it is us that is encroaching into their sphere of influence in the Middle East and Africa, building bases all along their border, violating treaties or scrapping them when they don't serve our interest anymore... We are the ones pushing on them, not them on us.
Ukraine in the greater scheme of things is them finally “drawing the line in the sand.” Sorry for the cliche, but it's appropriate here.
I am not saying they are our friends or that they are good guys. But I am saying we have caused this conflict (NATO East expansion) and it is us that has become very quick to use military force furthering our economic and political interests. This conflict was NEVER about our national security, no one can viably create such an argument.
In other words: dialogue is how they sweet talk Trump, and unconditional surrender is what they pursue on the ground.
Now he is claiming a total of 5 oblasts.
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The ethnic Russian population already voted for Independence from Ukraine. Time to wake up to reality, Vlad will keep his Russian Provinces….through negotiations or the battle field, doesn’t matter to him….
Ukraine’s Unconditional Surrender can be had, but that is rather brash. The better idea, carve Ukraine up to its historic borders and give Hungary, Romania and Poland back their historic territories.
Carve ‘em up for lasting Peace.
Demilitarization of Ukraine: reduction of the Ukrainian army to a token force unable to resist Russian aggression.
Denazification of Ukraine: suppression of expression of a separate Ukrainian national identity separate from that of Russia.
Ensuring Ukraine’s Neutral Status: preventing Ukraine from seeking any foreign assistance to help against Russian aggression.
Recognition of Territorial Gains: ignoring the will of local Ukrainian majority populations to satisfy Russian imperialistic goals.
The fact you are using capital letter in the word “peace” does not make you less of a Russian troll.
Why are you still here? Your USAID money hasn't run out yet??
Even your beloved deep-state NY Times admits Ukraine is a proxy-army for NATO, and has been for 10 years. Everything they do is directed by NATO, using NATO's top weapons and intel.
LOL, sure they "voted" while under Russian guns with only two choices, independence from Ukraine or joining Russia.
The choice to stay with Ukraine did not exist.
I’m surprised your stalker isn’t here yet !! LOL.
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You must be referring to the unhinged Texas Gator…I throw out the news articles, say “ Fetch” , and he usually fetches with his rants….I am alittle disappointed, but delighted he thinks I am Martin Armstrong.
I have his profile, he was a dangerous MRNA jab supporter, bought into senile Joes dangerous MRNA campaign, which afflicted him with the Russian Derangement Syndrome, and the Armstrong Derangement Syndrome….he also has shades of the Trump Derangement Syndrome…..still unconfirmed, I chalk it all up to those debilitating MRNA jabs.
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