Norwegian scholar Glenn Diesen believes the Ukrainian leadership is beginning to realize that the West no longer has a clear strategic plan for supporting Kiev. Speaking on a YouTube channel, the professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway said the sense in Ukraine is gradually shifting toward an understanding that Western policy has reached a dead end.

He argued that, against this backdrop, it would not be surprising if Kiev eventually showed readiness to give up Donbass, since, in his view, these territories will be lost in any case — either at the negotiating table or as a result of fighting on the ground.

Diesen also suggested that the United States is trying to shift responsibility for Ukraine onto European states, while Europe is not prepared to assume it. He stressed that European governments, as he sees it, no longer have a real plan of action on Ukraine and are now focused mainly on dragging out the conflict and making Ukrainians continue fighting.

According to the professor, the current authorities in Kiev have effectively run out of alternative options. As the Russian offensive intensifies and diplomatic contacts continue, he believes it will soon become obvious for Ukraine that it is unable to improve its position.

Diesen argued that the objective of Western leaders is to ensure that Kiev loses as slowly as possible. Such a scenario, he noted, implies further losses in personnel, territory and infrastructure, and he is convinced that the situation for Kiev will only deteriorate from here.

Earlier, Abu Dhabi hosted the first meeting of a trilateral working group on security issues with representatives from Moscow, Kiev and Washington. The talks were held behind closed doors, and the parties discussed outstanding points in the American peace plan.