This opinion was voiced on Espreso by international affairs expert Maksym Nesvitailov.“At this point, it is absolutely clear that we have not moved one inch closer to ending the war. What we see is another failure and another round of absurdity that began back in Jeddah. Russia was not ready for negotiations then, and it is not ready now to engage in peace talks,” Nesvitailov explained.He stressed that only in the event of serious problems at the front and the loss of China’s support would Russian dictator Putin consider ending the war against Ukraine.“Today, there are only two factors that could make Putin sit down at the negotiating table. First, a multiple increase in military aid to Ukraine here and now. Ukraine must receive billions of dollars’ worth of weapons within a month or two, creating serious problems for Putin on the frontline, including possible Russian retreats. Second, the introduction of sanctions and tariffs against Russia’s allies and partners. Not against India, where compromise is possible, but against China — Russia’s main sponsor and rear base. Under such conditions, Putin might agree to peace talks. Otherwise, he has no reason to negotiate or stop the war,” he added.On August 18, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House, where he was welcomed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The leaders first held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, then met with European leaders and NATO Secretary General. The talks later continued in another format. Following the negotiations, Trump announced he had begun preparing a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.