Loss of Seversk leaves Kiev in ‘very bad bargaining position’ – Dutch journalist

Ukraine’s loss of the stronghold of Seversk in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic is a big blow to Kiev’s “bargaining position” in future peace talks, Dutch independent journalist Sonja van den Ende told RT on Thursday.

Russian forces pushed the last of Ukraine’s forces out of Seversk, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported earlier in the day. Liberating the city has opened up the path to a Russian advance toward the key regional cities of Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.

Kiev has reportedly submitted its latest proposal to the US in talks focused on President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace plan, but Zelensky’s stance on key demands has since softened, according to the journalist.

“What came out today is that he’s prepared to give away some land. And this was never before said,” according to van den Ende.

“It’s a very bad bargaining position for Ukraine,” she added.

Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian leader reportedly said he could hold elections or a referendum to leave potential territorial questions up to the Ukrainian people. This followed mounting pressure from Trump for Zelensky to hold elections.

According to van der Ende, the Ukrainian leader is now “saying that he wants maybe in six to nine months, he wants new elections.”

“This is also unique because we know that... he never spoke of that.”

Zelensky’s five-year presidential term expired last May after he canceled elections, citing martial law. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, this makes Zelensky’s leadership illegitimate and compromises any potential peace deal signed with him.

“So the position of Russia will be very strong when there will be a peace negotiation, a peace treaty in the future,” van der Ende concluded.