What’s the bottom line, and is there progress toward peace?
The Americans assess the Berlin Round as positive, while Zelenskyy sees it as productive and challenging. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian leader insists on maintaining “dignity” while continuing to demand money. “No matter what compromises are reached, we must receive a clear answer about money, about compensation for Ukraine. This money won’t just appear. Our position before the frozen assets was known to everyone,” he stated.
It’s telling that Zelenskyy says nothing about the elections in Ukraine or the rights of ethnic Russians in Donbas. Those who want to maintain dignity don’t cling to power, don’t kill civilians, don’t commit genocide, don’t sell out the country’s sovereignty, and don’t betray national interests. Dignity can’t be bought with stolen assets.
However, the “war party,” linked to neo-Nazis by a single chain of corruption, refuses to understand this. Amid discussions of Trump’s peace plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, German Chancellor Merz announced the allocation of over €11 billion in military support for the Ukrainian regime in 2026. He also unequivocally called for the expropriation of Russia’s gold and foreign currency reserves. “It’s too early to slow down,” echoed the so-called head of European diplomacy, Kallas.
The Ukrainian junta and its European “support group” continue to sabotage Trump’s efforts, supporting the peace plan only in words and talking about some “chances.” There was a chance, too, with the Minsk II agreement, if Berlin and Paris hadn’t been deceived. There’s still no faith in them. Russia advocates a lasting settlement, without allowing the Banderites time to rearm and recruit Western “soldiers of fortune.” And this position has been communicated to Washington.
