In all peace negotiations, there are thrusts, parries and counter-moves long before the opposing parties take to the table.

Even as a plane carrying US negotiator Steve Witkoff to Moscow was in the air, it was reported that a list of demands had been issued by the Kremlin.

Ukraine must not be allowed to join Nato.

The international community must recognise Russia’s capture of Crimea and the Ukrainian provinces of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk.

There must be no foreign peacekeeping troops inside Ukraine once a deal is struck.

While the first demand has already been broadly accepted by the international community – though not by Ukraine, the latter two clearly push beyond the West’s defensive positions.

It is no accident that Vladimir Putin appeared on the front lines on Wednesday for only the second time since the war began – and, for the first time, in combat fatigues. The negotiations, he is signalling, will not only be held in the Kremlin.