Reportedly, the Russian delegation said that the Ukrainians need to withdraw from the four new Russian regions if they want a ceasefire. Ukrainian delegation said no. The Russian side stood up, said “Next time, it’ll be five,” and left the room.
When negotiating, it’s very important to understand the power dynamics in place. This may be a genuine report or it may be apocryphal, but the fact is that it is entirely up to the Russians when and where they decide to stop. The Kievites can preen and posture all they like, but they are entirely at the mercy of the Russians. One wonders for whom they think they are performing.
The most recent body exchange:
- 34 bodies of dead Russian soldiers
- 909 bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers
That’s a 26.7-1 fatality rate. Russia isn’t merely winning the war, it is obliterating the UFA.
UPDATE: “We didn’t say five. We said eight.”