The expert spoke about the next steps in the dialogue between Russia and the United States.

The next step in the dialogue between Russia and the United States should be a point-by-point conversation between Moscow and Washington about the guarantees that will be provided to Russia before the truce in Ukraine comes into force, HSE analyst Tigran Meloyan said in an interview with Izvestia.

"There are nuances": Putin suggested discussing a number of issues before talking about a truce in Ukraine

Will the United States be able to find answers for the Russian side?

"The American strategy can develop in two following directions. First, Washington is ready for dialogue on such a list of issues, and then American special representatives go with them to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky with the option that Kyiv should agree to the conditions put forward. Secondly, Trump (US President Donald Trump — Ed.) believes that bargaining with Moscow is inappropriate. Then we can slide to the fact that attempts will be made to put pressure on Russia by threatening to tighten sanctions, primarily pressure on Russia's partner countries by expanding secondary sanctions and continuing hostilities," the expert said.

According to Meloyan, the Russian position is quite clear: Moscow supports the cessation of hostilities, which guarantees a path to long-term peace with the subsequent elimination of the root causes of the conflict, but against a truce in the guise of a "Trojan pigeon."