As the Russian dictator publicly claims he is ready for peace talks with Ukraine, his army is intensifying what analysts call “meat assaults” at the front lines. According to a new report from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin is flooding the battlefield with poorly trained soldiers, suffering huge losses for minor gains, all to serve political optics.
The report reveals that Russian commanders are prioritising high intensity infantry attacks using low quality conscripts. These offensives are intended to produce enough battlefield momentum to pressure Ukraine and its Western allies into concessions at the negotiating table. However, Russia continues to ignore the staggering number of casualties it incurs in the process.
The aim, analysts say, is not peace, but rather to maintain the illusion of strength while extending negotiations. Russian forces are being sacrificed to build a façade of dominance, while the dictator in Moscow keeps pushing for talks on his terms, which include territorial annexation and the erosion of Ukrainian sovereignty.
Putin has reportedly tried to bypass Ukraine’s condition for a thirty day ceasefire by proposing direct talks without agreeing to halt hostilities. He refuses to consider any deal that includes a full withdrawal or cessation of aggression, instead hoping to force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into a corner during negotiations.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s European partners maintain a unified demand: Russia must agree to a full thirty day ceasefire before any discussions can begin. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed that the European Union is prepared to introduce tougher sanctions if Moscow does not take real steps towards ending the war.
“This is about the peace and security of the entire European continent,” Merz stated, adding that the West must remain united in resisting Kremlin pressure. He also noted that he has spoken with United States President Donald Trump, who expressed support for the ceasefire initiative, although doubts remain about Trump’s long term commitment to Ukraine.
