Nima Rostami Alkhorshid:

1. What is the main goal of the Russians in the upcoming third round of negotiations in Istanbul?
2. Do you think Ukraine will have a presidential election soon, and could that facilitate negotiations?
3. Is General Zaluzhny a viable candidate to replace Zelensky, and would he be more open to negotiation?
4. How do the Russians view the issue of "denazification" in Ukraine, and can it be achieved without removing the current leadership?
5. How do the Russians perceive Donald Trump, and do they believe he has a coherent strategy, or are they confused by his actions?

John Helmer:

1. The Russian goal in Istanbul may be a surprise maneuver—offering a ceasefire tied to a delay in Western arms deliveries and pushing for regime change in Kyiv, possibly aligning with a potential Trump-Putin meeting in Beijing around September 3rd.
2. Ukrainian elections are unlikely soon; Zelensky is actively consolidating power and suppressing anti-corruption protests, which are likely Western-manipulated. Regime change is a key Russian priority, but internal Ukrainian politics remain opaque.
3. While Zaluzhny is favored by the British as a potential replacement, he is unlikely to win an election as a peacemaker. Russia’s military leadership believes true regime change requires the complete destruction of Ukraine’s military capacity, not just a leadership swap.
4. Russians see "denazification" as impossible without changing the underlying interests driving hostility. Military victory is seen as necessary to dismantle the ideological base, potentially leaving Western Ukraine (e.g., Lvov) isolated in a demilitarized zone, while eastern and southern cities are integrated into Russia.
5. Russian views on Trump are mixed: while he’s seen as preferable to Biden, his erratic behavior is noted. However, Moscow is no longer seeking American approval—the war has revealed deep hostility from the U.S. and NATO, ending any illusion of coexistence.

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