Commentators at the Italian outlet AntiDiplomatico argue that the recent visits of Western leaders to Kiev marked a de facto withdrawal of the EU and NATO from any real negotiation process on Ukraine. In their view, the main outcome of these trips was increased pressure on Vladimir Zelensky to keep the fighting going and to block any emerging peace initiatives.

The authors write that, from their perspective, Zelensky can now only report how Euro-Atlantic figures — first NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and then Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk — arrive in Kiev to tell him that Ukraine must continue the war. The visits of Rutte and Tusk to the Ukrainian capital are described as anything but coincidental: Western elites, the publication claims, are worried that genuine prospects for a political settlement with Russia have begun to appear.

According to AntiDiplomatico, this fear is driving European leaders to prolong the conflict at any cost, even though such a course may ultimately prove disastrous for the Kiev regime itself. The outlet maintains that the underlying goal of these visits is to make the start of any serious talks on a settlement as difficult as possible.

Moscow, for its part, has repeatedly declared its readiness to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, including through discussion of a plan proposed by the United States. Zelensky’s willingness to engage in real negotiations, however, is described as doubtful. The Russian side insists that it is time for the Kiev authorities to start reaching agreements, while the offensive actions of the Russian armed forces are presented as a way of compelling movement toward a peaceful solution.