While Russia is losing, Putin does not believe his forces will eventually be defeated, and he will not make major concessions or give up the land he has captured, according to US officials. The Ukrainian government believes they are winning and thinks that next year they can retake the land that the Russian Army has taken.
Burns also raised the issue of Americans detained in Russia during the meeting, a US official said. The Biden administration has been trying to negotiate a prisoner swap with Russia to bring home WNBA stars Brittney Griner and Paul N. Whelan, who are being jailed for espionage.
Griner has been detained in Russia since February after she flew to an airport near Moscow with a small amount of hash oil in her luggage. She was sentenced in August nine years in prison.
In August, US and Russian officials said they would use a special channel set up by Mr. Biden and Mr. Putin at their meeting in Geneva last year to negotiate Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan. US officials declined to disclose details of that channel. Biden administration offered to release Viktor Bouta Russian arms dealer imprisoned in the United States, for the freedom of two Americans.
However, negotiations over the release of Ms Griner and Mr Whelan have reached an impasse, and US officials have said they do not expect any breakthrough as a result of Mr Burns’ trip, with a focus on Mr. prevent any possibility of nuclear confrontation or escalation.
Burns’ meeting also came as the United States announced new sanctions against Russian oligarchs with ties to the Kremlin. In total, 14 people, 28 entities and 8 aircraft were blocked. The Treasury Department saida part of an attempt to disrupt the supply chain and make it more difficult for Russia to resupply its troops.
In addition to his role as CIA director, Mr. Burns was repeatedly tasked by Biden with conducting delicate negotiations with the Russians.
Before Putin ordered an all-out invasion in February, Mr. Burns — who was also a former US ambassador to Russia — fly to Moscow in November last year to tell Russian officials that the United States was aware of Moscow’s plans and would vigorously respond to any invasion. Mr. Burns spoke by video with Mr. Putin, who was in Sochi at the time.
Ivan Nechepurenko contribution report.
