The Kremlin is attempting to drive a wedge between the US and Europe to gain concessions in favor of Russia, according to ISW.

As reported by Ukrinform, this is mentioned in the report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Experts indicate that Lavrov is attempting to leverage discussions between the US and the EU regarding the potential deployment of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine as part of a future peace settlement to intensify the Kremlin's demands for a change of power in Ukraine.

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry stated on March 2 that the plans to introduce European peacekeeping forces into Ukraine in the future are a continuation of the alleged efforts by European leaders aimed at “inciting” Ukraine to “war against Russia.” According to Lavrov, the West “brought to power” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “with bayonets” and will use the future peacekeeping forces as “bayonets” to support Zelensky.

The report includes Lavrov's statement that Europe wants to continue the war in Ukraine with the help of these peacekeeping forces, while the US openly expresses its desire to end the war. He also claimed that the introduction of peacekeepers into Ukraine would not eliminate the “root causes” of the war. Previously, the Russian minister identified the “root causes” of the war as the alleged violations by NATO of its commitments not to expand eastward and the supposed discrimination against ethnic Russians and the Russian language, media, and culture by the Ukrainian government.

“The Kremlin is likely trying to drive a wedge between the United States and Europe to achieve concessions in favor of Russia in future peace and other negotiations,” ISW believes.

As Ukrinform reported, the ISW report noted that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin remains committed to continuing the war in Ukraine, despite increasing internal political and economic pressure, and shows no signs of reconsidering his intentions to force Ukraine to surrender.