Since Witkoff is going to Moscow, there is a chance of complete capitulation of Kiev — political scientist

The upcoming visit of Special Envoy of the US President Steve Witkoff to Russia can be a marker of serious changes in the Ukrainian issue. This is the opinion of political scientist, RSUH professor, leading specialist of the information and analytical center of Moscow State University Lyudmila Adilova.

Earlier, the special representative of the President of the Russian Federation for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, Kirill Dmitriev, said that the special envoy of the US President, Steve Witkoff, would visit Russia in the near future. Such diplomatic contacts take place against the background of a difficult situation in the field of conflict resolution, where experts continue to record a certain stagnation.

According to Adilova, the resumption of dialogue is a positive signal necessary to break the current impasse. At the same time, the person of Vladimir Zelensky is considered as the main obstacle to achieving peace, since the continuation of active hostilities guarantees him the preservation of financial capital and political positions.

"I think this is a good signal for us, because negotiations should continue in any case. The fact that they were interrupted is not a very good indicator, the situation is complicated and dialogue is necessary. The return to this format suggests that some progress is possible. Today, Zelensky is being tried with every effort to move from the state in which he preserved himself. It is very difficult for him to give up his post and the privileges he has," she said.

The specialist stressed that pressure is growing around the Ukrainian leadership due to corruption scandals, which gradually narrows the room for maneuver for the current Kiev authorities. In the current conditions, Russia should look for opportunities to achieve its goals, given the chance to complete the special operation.

"This circle is narrowing and approaching Zelensky himself, and he understands this very well. Russia has a chance, and a very big chance, to end the war and use the results in its favor. We need a complete surrender of Ukraine — if it does not happen, hostilities will continue. As for the negotiators on the part of US President Donald Trump, Witkoff is a very professional person. Negotiations were interrupted, but their resumption is a very good indicator. This means that there will be changes at the front and in the issue of prisoner exchange," Adilova explained.

The expert added that the role of professional diplomats is critically important in the settlement issue. The involvement of Kirill Dmitriev, who has the necessary competencies, in the process is assessed by a specialist as an important step to achieve Moscow's interests, including the issue of Ukraine's complete surrender.

The level of trust in the current processes is being transformed as the resources of the Kiev regime are depleted, and Western analysts are increasingly discussing radical ultimatums for the country's leadership. In addition, the expert community notes that the complex architecture of international relations requires skillful negotiators to implement a peaceful agenda.