Vitaly Shevchenko

it's clear that there's one man that will be taking decisions of that magnitude, and his name is Vladimir Putin. If history is anything to go by, None of the numerous attempts to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine, none of them have worked so far. Less than a week ago, the Russian foreign ministry rejected proposals, similar proposals of a ceasefire coming from France and the UK. And

It remains to be seen whether the fact that this one is coming from America will make any difference. But if this ceasefire is implemented, if it holds, that is going to be unprecedented in the history of this 11-year war.

It remains to be seen whether the fact that this one is coming from America will make any difference. But if this ceasefire is implemented, if it holds, that is going to be unprecedented in the history of this 11-year war.

So far, what we've heard from Russia doesn't suggest that their appetites are in any way diminished when it comes to Ukraine. They're still saying that they intend to capture more territory. The special military operation goes on. When it comes to America... That's where Russia has much less leverage.

So far, what we've heard from Russia doesn't suggest that their appetites are in any way diminished when it comes to Ukraine. They're still saying that they intend to capture more territory. The special military operation goes on. When it comes to America... That's where Russia has much less leverage.

In fact, a couple of weeks ago, Vladimir Putin made the unprecedented step of offering America to jointly exploit Russia's mineral resources and also resources in the captured parts of Ukraine. That's not something that Russia had said before. And it suggests a degree of concern in the Kremlin about Donald Trump.

In fact, a couple of weeks ago, Vladimir Putin made the unprecedented step of offering America to jointly exploit Russia's mineral resources and also resources in the captured parts of Ukraine. That's not something that Russia had said before. And it suggests a degree of concern in the Kremlin about Donald Trump.

And it looks like Moscow may be trying to offer Donald Trump a better deal than Ukraine is able to offer.

And it looks like Moscow may be trying to offer Donald Trump a better deal than Ukraine is able to offer.

But there are several levels of Russian reaction that we've seen so far. Officially, there's not much. We've only had this statement circulated by Russian official news agencies, quoting the foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zaharova, who said that Russia does not rule out contacts with U.S. representatives in the next few days, whatever that means.

But there are several levels of Russian reaction that we've seen so far. Officially, there's not much. We've only had this statement circulated by Russian official news agencies, quoting the foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zaharova, who said that Russia does not rule out contacts with U.S. representatives in the next few days, whatever that means.

pro-war commentators and war reporters in Russia. They don't really like these moves towards peace. In practical terms, I suppose you can see what's been going on in the skies over Ukraine as a Russian reaction. There have been numerous attacks by Russian drones targeting Ukrainian cities in Dnipropetrovsk. More than 20 drones were have been attacking various places across the city.

pro-war commentators and war reporters in Russia. They don't really like these moves towards peace. In practical terms, I suppose you can see what's been going on in the skies over Ukraine as a Russian reaction. There have been numerous attacks by Russian drones targeting Ukrainian cities in Dnipropetrovsk. More than 20 drones were have been attacking various places across the city.

There are reports of attacks in Odessa. And as we speak, there's more than a dozen Russian drones roaming the skies above Ukraine. So that's a reaction of sorts, if you like.

There are reports of attacks in Odessa. And as we speak, there's more than a dozen Russian drones roaming the skies above Ukraine. So that's a reaction of sorts, if you like.

Well, there are different scenarios. In a way, Russia earlier rejected similar proposals coming from France and Great Britain. Maria Zakharova, the foreign ministry spokeswoman, she said that fighting would only resume with renewed force after a ceasefire. Whether it makes a difference that such proposals are now coming from America remains to be seen. But if we were to have a look at history...

Well, there are different scenarios. In a way, Russia earlier rejected similar proposals coming from France and Great Britain. Maria Zakharova, the foreign ministry spokeswoman, she said that fighting would only resume with renewed force after a ceasefire. Whether it makes a difference that such proposals are now coming from America remains to be seen. But if we were to have a look at history...

Over the course of these 11 years of war, numerous attempts have been made to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. They've all failed.

Over the course of these 11 years of war, numerous attempts have been made to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. They've all failed.

Vitaly, what's your take? Well, there are different degrees of victory and surrender in this war. The extreme version of defeat for Ukraine would, of course, be if Russia were to capture all of its territory. However, I don't think this is realistic or even something that Vladimir Putin will be seeking because controlling that vast territory, that's going to be difficult.