Oleksandr Slyvchuk, Coordinator of the Spain and Latin America Cooperation Program at the Transatlantic Dialogue Center, gave two interviews to Latin American media — Argentina’s Todo Noticias and Chile’s Chilevisión — analyzing Russia’s actions amid ongoing diplomatic contacts and explaining why they do not indicate readiness for a ceasefire.
In both conversations, Slyvchuk stressed that Moscow’s behavior points not to preparation for peace, but to a continued strategy of pressure against Ukraine. Russia’s attack on Kyiv shortly after the departure of US envoys demonstrated that diplomatic contacts have not changed the Kremlin’s military objectives.
Slyvchuk explained that Russia uses engagement with the United States to preserve political dialogue and reinforce Vladimir Putin’s international legitimacy, rather than to prepare meaningful concessions. According to him, Moscow still seeks to continue its territorial expansion and force Ukraine to accept Russia’s conditions before any serious discussion of peace.
The interviews also addressed the risks Ukraine faces as winter approaches. Slyvchuk warned that further Russian attacks on electricity, gas, water, and other critical infrastructure remain a major threat, as Moscow may again try to increase pressure on civilians during the heating season.
Another key topic was Russia’s attempt to normalize its occupation of Ukrainian territories. Slyvchuk pointed to Moscow’s plans to hold parliamentary elections in occupied Ukrainian regions and involve foreign figures as so-called “international observers.” He emphasized that such steps are intended to create a false appearance of legitimacy for illegal occupation and should not be recognized internationally.
In the Chilevisión interview, Slyvchuk also underlined that the territorial factor is largely a pretext: Russia does not simply want specific territories, but seeks broader control over Ukraine. As long as Ukraine continues to resist, Moscow is not prepared for genuine negotiations and still believes it can achieve its goals on the battlefield.
Taken together, the two interviews for audiences in Argentina and Chile point to the same conclusion: Russia is combining diplomacy, military escalation, and political manipulation rather than taking verifiable steps toward peace.
Watch the full interviews with Oleksandr Slyvchuk:
Todo Noticias:
Chilevisión: