Ex-Russia Foreign Minister Says Ukraine Talks A Putin Show

Moscow is only negotiating with Kyiv for "show" and will drag talks on until they know whether they will win or lose in Ukraine, a former Russian foreign minister told Shona Murray of Euronews.

Photo Insert: Andrei Kozyrev served as Boris Yeltsin's foreign minister between 1990 and 1996 as the Soviet Union was collapsing and transitioning into the Russian Federation.

Andrei Kozyrev served as Boris Yeltsin's foreign minister between 1990 and 1996 as the Soviet Union was collapsing and transitioning into the Russian Federation. Asked whether he expects the ongoing talks between Kyiv and Moscow to lead to a breakthrough, he said: "I think it's just a show and they (Russia) will not negotiate until they know for sure that they are losing in Ukraine. That's the usual approach. They understand only force."

"They try force on their side. And they meet now with unexpected resistance from the Ukrainians and from the West. Also with sanctions which could be stronger but are strong enough for the moment. But they did not exhaust all the strategy of terror at all. Only when they get pushed back — strong pushback — which probably is coming, they will start to think of ways to negotiate for escape," he went on.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described them on Monday as "hard discussions," adding that each party "actively express their specified positions."

Zelenskyy was similarly cautious on Monday, saying the negotiations were going "pretty well," adding nonetheless: "But let's see." For Kozyrev, Russia's reported appeal to China for assistance shows President Vladimir Putin is "definitely in a desperate position" and that it will come at a cost.

"I very much doubt that China would ever jump into a military conflict (...) China, you know, they are following their own interests. And their interests, of course, was and probably still is that Russia, that Putin kind of paralyzes the West because that serves Chinese interests since they have growing control issue with the West," he said.

"And be sure the Chinese are now good business, and they will ask for considerable discounts for Russian raw materials," he added.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic