Originally Posted by
pasta
^ this. Negotiating is not a zero-sum game. The aim is to share information in order to reach a mutually-beneficial outcome. Very often, one party is able to concede something at low cost to themselves that is of greater value to their counterpart, and vice-versa, and one aim is to flush out these opportunities. We're not buying carpets in the Souk...
Well have you been involved in negotiating the unconditional surrender of a super-power and securing world peace? Have you? HAVE YOU??!
Seriously though, there was no negotiation to be had; Russia's initial list of demands made that crystal clear. Vlad wasn't interested in Finlandization, neutrality, denazification or any of that bollo*cks. His wanted his dominion back, pure and simple. The "negotiation" such as it was had two purposes, to buy time to build up its forces and its central bank reserves, and to see if there was any weakness in the West's resolve. Looks like he f*cked up on all of these fronts.