Moscow 'Playing with Washington': Analyst on Failed Ukraine Talks | FRANCE 24

President Donald Trump's envoys told Ukrainian officials on Friday that a deal to allow Russian diesel exports is part of a bid to draw Russia back to negotiations after the failure of previous efforts to launch sustained talks to end the war, three people familiar with the meeting told Reuters. In this FRANCE 24 interview, Sharon Gaffney speaks with Grégoire Roos, director of the Europe and Russia and Eurasia Programmes at Chatham House, who says that "it's clear that Moscow is just playing with Washington." Roos analyzes the dynamics of the negotiations, explaining how Russia is using the talks to buy time and advance its own agenda while appearing cooperative. He discusses the leverage that Russia holds, including its energy exports, and how the United States is trying to use economic incentives to bring Moscow to the table. However, Roos argues that without a unified Western approach and concrete consequences for Russia's actions, these efforts are unlikely to succeed. The interview also covers the broader geopolitical context, including the role of European allies and the impact of sanctions. Roos emphasizes the need for a coordinated strategy to counter Russian aggression and support Ukraine. This insightful discussion sheds light on the complexities of diplomacy and the challenges of ending the war.