In this episode, host Alex Petriashvili features Tengiz Pkhaladze, senior fellow at the European Center for International Political Economy (ECIPE), discussing Russia’s war in Ukraine. They examine the situation on the frontlines, the complexities of negotiations, and the prospects for a breakthrough. The conversation also highlights Europe’s growing role in the conflict and the strategic importance of the U.S. position.
Negotiations sometimes appear to offer hope for an end to the war this year, but optimism is frequently tempered by reality: whenever U.S. officials signal progress, the Russian side responds with new terms and conditions. The discussion considers whether a breakthrough can be expected this year, how Russia’s economic situation and inflation are affecting the conflict, the likelihood of progress on the frontlines or in talks, and whether Russia is prepared for a peace deal that does not demand Ukraine’s capitulation.