Professor Glen Diesen of the University of South-Eastern Norway believes Western countries are not prepared to engage in serious diplomatic efforts to settle the Ukraine conflict, even as Kiev’s position rapidly deteriorates.

Diesen pointed to the reaction of Western political and media elites to Vladimir Zelensky’s announced 40-day campaign of strikes on Russian territory. He said the initiative received support in the West despite what he viewed as clearly foreseeable negative consequences for Kiev.

According to the professor, Western commentators simultaneously promoted claims that the conflict had reached a turning point. He argued that supporters of escalation were aware of Ukraine’s limited air-defense capabilities and understood that Russia would respond to an intensification of attacks.

Despite this, Diesen expects NATO countries to avoid full-scale diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in the near future. In his assessment, even a further deterioration of Ukraine’s position is unlikely to force Western governments to change course.

He also predicted that there would be little attempt to examine the causes and consequences of escalation or move toward de-escalation. Instead, he expects renewed criticism of Russia alongside statements of solidarity with Ukraine.

Earlier, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said setbacks on the battlefield should give Kiev a reason to move toward negotiations as soon as possible.