The Russian invasion

The outside world's response
Expert: The parties are fighting for the best starting point for negotiations

With seven weeks to go until Donald Trump is sworn in as the next president of the United States, Russia and Ukraine are fighting over the best starting position for possible peace talks, sources told Politico. Among other things, when he promised to end the war a few days after he took the White House.

But it is not only Trump's entry that forces the parties to the negotiating table, according to Russia expert James Nixey at the British think tank Chatham House.

Both countries are "running a race against the clock" due to major "domestic problems," according to Nixey. For Ukraine, there is a major shortage of soldiers, while the Russian economy is under severe pressure after the ruble plummeted in value. 

MI6 chief: Never seen the world as dangerous as it is now

Russia is waging a "staggeringly ruthless" sabotage campaign against Ukraine's allies in the West, and European intelligence services are working tirelessly to contain the fallout. Richard Moore, head of the British intelligence service MI6, says so, according to several media outlets.

- During my 37 years in intelligence work, I have never seen the world in a more dangerous situation, he says according to Sky News.

The statements were made during a speech alongside Moore's French counterpart Nicolas Lerner, who added that "the collective security of all of Europe is at stake".

If Russia is allowed to subdue Ukraine and turn it into a vassal state, Putin will not stop there, according to Moore. He also warns Donald Trump against a Russian victory, adding that it would strengthen China, North Korea and Iran.

Ukraine's response
Zelenskyi: Some just want to talk to Putin to get on the front page

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says some world leaders only want to talk to Vladimir Putin to get themselves in the news. In the high-profile interview with Sky News, he was asked about the conversation between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Russian president two weeks ago.

- Don't open Pandora's box, because if you open it, other leaders will want to talk to him to get into the newspaper and say they can handle Putin, he says.

In the interview, he calls Putin a murderer and a terrorist. The Ukrainian president believes that Putin is trying to divide Europe.

Expert: "He knows that Trump will soon lower himself"

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is playing a "very sophisticated game" when he opens up for a ceasefire in which Russia retains control of occupied land in exchange for a NATO invitation. This is what Britain's former ambassador to Russia, Tony Benton, told Sky News.

- He knows that Donald Trump will soon descend on him and Russia. He is already arranging to have something to offer Trump in his mission to end the war.

However, Benton adds that it is a "fairly large concession" on Zelensky's part - something Putin may interpret as a sign of weakness and an invitation to try to take more.