Did the former US president rely on a false signal in his diplomatic efforts? There is suspicion that he may have assumed an increased willingness to negotiate on the Russian side - a fatal misconception? After all, recent statements from government circles show that Russia was not even willing to make a symbolic step like a one-month ceasefire.
Officially, Moscow continues to speak of readiness for peace - but hardly anyone within Western governments believes this. Rather, there is great concern that any agreement would only be an interim step to strike even harder afterwards. "Russia has clearly not given up its maximalist war goals," is the assessment of a top European official. Apparently, the Kremlin is currently only willing to adjust the external strategy - not the actual plan.