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He believes that the Kremlin’s ultimate goal is the complete destruction of Ukraine as an independent nation.
A planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest has been called off after the Kremlin attempted to dictate terms for ending the war in Ukraine.
The move, which drew firm resistance from Washington, has reignited debate over Moscow’s true intentions.
Open talks of occupation
Speaking to the independent Belarusian outlet Charter 97, Oleh Belokolos — director of the Center for National Resilience Studies in Kyiv and a former Ukrainian diplomat — said Russia has never seriously considered peace.
According to him, the Kremlin’s repeated references to “negotiations” are nothing more than a façade for ongoing aggression.
“If you carefully analyze the statements of Russian officials and experts close to the Kremlin, it becomes clear: their goal is the destruction of an independent Ukraine,” Belokolos said.
He added, “They openly discuss occupation, and there is not a single refutation of such statements. Putin has completely lost touch with reality and lives in his own world, where everything is subordinated to his insane ambitions.”
Signs of escalation
Belokolos pointed to Russia’s ballooning military spending and fresh mobilization drives as proof that Moscow is preparing for a long conflict.
The Kremlin might continue to present the war as a mission for peace, but according to Belokolos, this is merely a smokescreen to hide the fact that Russia’s elite is preparing for prolonged warfare.
Western analysts have similarly warned that the Kremlin’s diplomatic overtures often mask preparations for further offensives.
Washington hardens position
The cancellation of Trump’s meeting with Putin, Belokolos said, signals that the United States is unwilling to grant concessions.
He added that Trump’s stance toward Putin is becoming increasingly firm, noting that the shift reflects both strategic calculations and domestic opinion.
Furthermore, Belokolos claims that public opinion in the United States is on Ukraine’s side — something Trump cannot ignore. An increasing number of political voices, even in conservative circles, are condemning Russia’s actions, especially the abductions of Ukrainian children.
The expert believes Washington is preparing further measures against Moscow, as pressure mounts for accountability and stronger support for Kyiv.
Sources: Charter 97, Center for National Resilience Studies
