LAST UPDATE: 18.09
Ukraine and Russia have made significant progress in an initial 15-point peace plan that includes a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops if Kyiv declares neutrality and accepts limits on its armed forces, the Financial Times reported, citing three participants in the talks. .
The proposed agreement, fully discussed by Ukrainian and Russian negotiators for the first time on Monday, will include Kiev’s waiver of its NATO ambitions and its promise not to host foreign military bases or weapons in exchange for allied protection. , such as the US, UK and Turkey, sources say.
The nature of Western guarantees of Ukrainian security and their acceptance by Moscow could be a major obstacle to reaching an agreement, the FT warns.
As well as the status of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia and its allies in 2014, they add.
Although Moscow and Kyiv said Wednesday they had made progress on the terms of an agreement, Ukrainian officials remain skeptical about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is fully committed to a peace deal and are concerned that Moscow may try to to regroup its forces and continue its attack.
Mikhail Pontolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, told the Financial Times that any agreement would include the condition of the withdrawal of Russian forces “in any case” from the territory of Ukraine, which was occupied after February 24, ie. along the Azov and Black Seas, as well as the territories to the east and north of Kiev. Ukraine will retain its armed forces, but will pledge not to join military alliances, such as NATO, and not to host foreign military bases on its territory.
Briefly. FT published a draft, which represents the requesting position of the Russian side. Nothing more. The 🇺🇦 side has its own positions. The only thing we confirm at this stage is a ceasefire, withdrawal of Russian troops and security guarantees from a number of countries
– Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 16, 2022
“We are proposing a ‘Ukrainian model of security guarantees’, which implies the immediate and legally verifiable involvement of some guarantor countries in the conflict, ‘if anyone violates Ukraine’s territorial integrity again,'” Pontoliak said. He added that under any agreement, Ukraine “will definitely maintain its own army.” He downplayed the importance of banning foreign bases in Ukraine, but said that was already prohibited by Ukrainian law.
Two of the newspaper’s sources said that the agreement included conditions for securing the rights of the Russian language in Ukraine, which is widely spoken, although Ukrainian is the only official language. Podoliak said that “humanitarian issues, including linguistic ones, are discussed only in the light of Ukraine’s exclusive interests.”
The biggest problem, however, remains Russia’s demand that Ukraine recognize the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk, the two separatist regions of Donbas. Ukraine so far refuses, but according to Pontoliak is willing to separate these issues. “Conflicting territories and war zones are a separate issue. So far, we are discussing withdrawing from the occupied territories after the military operation began on February 24,” he concluded.
Asked about the FT report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov said it was too early to reveal any possible list of agreements to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, Reuters quoted Russian news agency Ria Novosti as saying.
Kremlin: Possible compromise solution a model like Sweden or Austria
Earlier, the Kremlin announced that a “demilitarized” Ukraine with its own army, such as Austria or Sweden, was being considered as a possible compromise. This is a previous proposal by Ukraine to be a neutral country, but to maintain its own armed forces, as noted by Bloomberg.
“This is an option that is being discussed at the moment and could be considered a compromise,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
However, the response of the Ukrainian side did not seem to leave much room for optimism.
“Peace talks must lead to a just agreement for Ukraine that includes security guarantees that will protect it from future threats,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We can and must fight today, now. We can and must defend our state, our lives, our Ukrainian life. We can and must negotiate a just and proper peace for Ukraine, real security guarantees that will work,” he said. the Ukrainian president in a video message according to Reuters.
Ukraine demands “full security guarantees” against Russia, while rejecting the idea of implementing an “Austrian or Swedish” model of “neutrality”, the Ukrainian presidency had previously announced.
“Ukraine is currently in a state of direct war with Russia. Consequently, the model can only be ‘Ukrainian,'” said Mikhail Pontoliak, one of the Ukrainian negotiators, in comments published by the Ukrainian presidency.
He made it clear that “full security guarantees” were needed against Russia, under which the parties would pledge to intervene on Ukraine’s side in the event of an attack.
“This means that the signatories of the guarantees are not left out in the event of an attack on Ukraine, as is the case today, but will take an active part in the conflict on the Ukrainian side and immediately provide it with the necessary weapons,” Mikhail Pontoliak explained. that Kyiv is also requesting an airspace blockade over Ukraine in the event of an attack on its territory.
Read also:
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
