High-ranking officials in Russia have made statements indicating that the country seeks more than just control over parts of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions of Ukraine. On February 14, Alexey Zhuravlyov, deputy chairman of the State Duma’s Defense Committee, emphasized that Russia will not be satisfied with merely receiving these territories.
Zhuravlyov further articulated Moscow’s ambitions, claiming that the Kremlin aims to change the leadership in Kyiv and remove what he described as a “Russophobic” government. This aligns with previous signals from the Kremlin, as Russian officials have repeatedly stated that post-war Ukraine should be friendly to Russia, implying a desire for a pro-Russian government and corresponding policies.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) highlighted that Russia might leverage negotiations to gain strategic concessions that could undermine Ukrainian statehood and diminish Western influence in the region. Analysts noted that the Kremlin has consistently dismissed substantial Western security guarantees for Ukraine, showing a commitment to achieving its military objectives through force if diplomacy fails.
On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that negotiations to end the conflict have narrowed down to the most challenging issues. He expressed uncertainty about Russia’s true intentions to cease hostilities and questioned the conditions under which Moscow would agree to peace, as well as whether a mutually acceptable formula for both Kyiv and the Kremlin could be found.
Russian officials have reiterated their ambitions to exert control beyond specific regions in Ukraine, indicating a desire for regime change in Kyiv. Meanwhile, U.S. officials express skepticism about Russia's commitment to peace negotiations.