No Peace Without the Demilitarization of Ukraine

Dmitri Suslov argues that the prospect of resolving the conflict following the U.S.–Russia talks in Alaska is no longer on the table. The United States refuses to pressure Ukraine into accepting Russian conditions. Besides territorial concessions, these conditions include demilitarization and “national political reforms” (sic). Moreover, the European Union is strengthening its support for Kyiv.

Nevertheless, according to the author, Russia’s quantitative and qualitative military superiority is becoming increasingly evident on the ground. If the current trend continues, he claims, the Ukrainian front will collapse, and Ukraine will have to accept Russian terms or risk the destruction of the Ukrainian state.

Editor’s note: The article largely attributes the deadlock in negotiations to the European Union. As often in official and semi-official discourse, Ukraine is not considered an autonomous actor pursuing its own interests.

Expert: Dmitri Suslov, Deputy Director of the Centre for European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics.
Source: “Èskalaciâ konflikta — edinstvennyj vyhod dlâ Kieva”, Lenta, 6 October 2025.

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