Every time negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. appear to gain momentum, Moscow introduces a new allegation — drone attacks, assassination attempts, nuclear plots, sabotage — that threatens to stall or derail the process.
Ukrainian officials and Western analysts say the pattern is no coincidence.
A high-level Ukrainian official familiar with the course of the negotiations told the Kyiv Independent that the "nonsense" Russia is spreading is intended to influence the talks and divert attention from Moscow’s unwillingness to seek compromise.
As Russian negotiators show little flexibility on concessions, the Kremlin appears to weaponize the diplomatic track — testing Washington's reactions, seeking leverage, and undermining Kyiv's credibility.
The first major rupture came late last year.
After Washington pressed Kyiv in November to accept an unfavorable draft settlement, Ukrainian officials spent more than a month renegotiating key provisions.
By late December, President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly suggested that roughly 95% of the revised peace framework was agreed, with the fate of Donbas remaining unresolved.
Then, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Trump.
Hours before the call on Dec. 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged that 91 Ukrainian drones had targeted Putin's state residence near Valdai, Novgorod Oblast. Lavrov warned that Moscow would "review" its position in negotiations in...
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