** NEW MERCH ** Jackets & Sweatshirts, Thermo Mugs!! Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/DanielDavisDeepDive?ref=seller-platform-mcnav Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow and discussed with Vladimir Putin the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine—potentially the first time all three would be in the same room. This is being seen by some in Russia and parts of the U.S. administration as a hopeful sign that the war could move toward a negotiated end rather than a military conclusion, though Ukraine and parts of Europe are more anxious or skeptical. Russia’s position, articulated by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin officials, is that its core demands have never changed: territorial concessions, demilitarization, “denazification” (regime change), and Ukrainian neutrality with no NATO presence. Lavrov argues that past opportunities for peace were missed—citing 2014, the Minsk agreements, late 2021 proposals, and early 2022 talks—and blames Europe and Ukraine for refusing to address what Russia calls the “root causes” of the war. From the Russian perspective, Europe and Ukraine still seek outcomes Russia considers unacceptable, such as no territorial losses, a larger Ukrainian military, and Western troops or bases in Ukraine. Moscow insists that it cannot be forced to accept those terms and believes battlefield realities now favor Russia. The U.S., under Trump’s influence, is portrayed as more willing to engage diplomatically than Europe, which has grown quieter and more cautious. Some European leaders appear to be softening their rhetoric, while President Zelensky remains angry and opposed to territorial concessions. Overall, the speaker argues that momentum toward negotiations may finally be building, driven by U.S.–Russia engagement and shifting European attitudes—but any settlement would still face major obstacles, since Russia’s demands remain unchanged and Ukraine strongly resists them.