Tipping point Fears war could dragon for years with Moscow not looking for peace

Ukrainian officials believe a largely stalemated war of attrition with Russia is likely to continue for several more years, despite international efforts pushed by Donald Trump to end it.

- By Peter Beaumont KYIV

After the inconclusive breakup of the first direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul last Friday, and despite the US president's calls with Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, they see no evidence that Moscow is serious about peace.

The comments came as Russia last Sunday launched its largest drone attack of the war, with 273 aimed against the central Kyiv region and the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions in the country's east.

"The Russians can't destroy us and we can't liberate territory," one senior Ukrainian official told the Guardian, adding that without significant US assistance that situation was likely to remain and potentially worsen. "Without the US it is impossible to change the balance. [And over time] it will push the balance to Russia. We will still be alive but we will pay a huge price." The remarks followed a week in which senior Russian officials were explicit about the Kremlin's appetite for pursuing a long war and making maximalist demands in return for peace. These extend to Ukraine removing its forces from five regions, including areas not occupied by Russian forces.