Russia used an information operation to escalate relations with NATO to target France directly after French President Emmanuel Macron's recent calls for the West to expand the level and types of aid to Ukraine. This was reported by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

"Shoigu's attempts to threaten France and deter continued Western support for Ukraine, while simulating interest in peace talks, are part of a broader Russian information operation aimed at persuading Western countries to push Ukraine into unfavorable and unequal negotiations on Russia's terms," it is emphasized in the summary for April 4.

Analysts note that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has also feigned interest interest in the talks, and the likely coordinated information efforts of Lavrov and Shoigu may signal a new round of intensified Russian rhetoric on the talks.

In addition, Lavrov reportedly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "Peace Formula" at a meeting with ambassadors from more than 70 countries and urged the countries present not to support it. At the same time, the Russian Foreign Minister told reporters after the meeting that "there is no need to talk to Zelensky" and that Russia should instead negotiate with the West, but the West, he said, is not ready for talks.

"The ISW continues to believe that Russia's maximalist goals - which amount to the complete surrender of Ukraine and the West - remain unchanged and that any Russian statements indicating that Russia is interested in peace talks are very likely attempts to force the West to make concessions on Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity," the report says.