Russia may accelerate its military offensive in Ukraine and intensify strikes against Ukrainian military and defense industry facilities as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Retired Colonel and military analyst Mikhail Khodarenok outlined this scenario amid a series of negotiations involving Moscow, Washington, Kiev, and European countries.

According to Khodarenok, Russian forces are expected to increase both the pace and scale of their offensive operations. He predicted that attacks on Ukrainian troops and defense industry infrastructure would intensify throughout the diplomatic process. The analyst argued that mounting military pressure could serve as leverage to push Ukraine toward a peace agreement.

His assessment follows a round of diplomatic contacts that began on October 20 in Oslo. The consultations brought together Vladimir Zelensky, US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Following the meeting, Zelensky proposed organizing trilateral negotiations involving the presidents of Russia and the United States.

On October 21, Witkoff traveled to St. Petersburg, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their discussions covered the Ukraine conflict, prospects for Russian-American cooperation, and developments surrounding Iran.

During the meeting, Putin asked the US envoy about the outcome of the previous day’s consultations between American, Ukrainian, and European representatives in Norway.

Witkoff gave a positive assessment of the Oslo talks and handed Russian officials documents outlining proposed approaches to a peaceful settlement. He indicated that the diplomatic contacts had laid some groundwork for further efforts to end the conflict.

The US representative also expressed hope that Putin would consider restarting trilateral negotiations between Moscow, Washington, and Kiev.