WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States and Russia are likely to be more open to advancing negotiations regarding the crisis in Ukraine in the coming months, the US-based geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor said in a report.
"Recent developments show that previously deadlocked US-Russia talks over the standoff in Ukraine could advance," the report, released on Wednesday, stated.
Stratfor argued a broad deal that would end the Ukrainian crisis is unlikely, but suggested that progress could be reached in several areas, including cease-fire observation, heavy weapons pullouts and local elections in Donbass and Lugansk regions.
Stratfor also noted there are "rumors" of a political reshuffle in the two territories.
The officials described the negotiations, which lasted for six hours, as "constructive" and "helpful."
Following the meeting, US Secretary of State John Kerry said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the United States could lift sanctions against Russia just months after the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.
In February 2015, Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine worked out a ceasefire deal in Minsk to settle a conflict between Kiev and Donbass militias.
The Kiev authorities launched a military operation against independence seeking regions in eastern Ukraine in April 2014. The West has accused Russia of involvement in the conflict, although Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegation.
