Kremlin: Model like Sweden or Austria – Possible full compromise – Ukraine calls for ‘full security guarantees’

LAST UPDATE 14.14

The Kremlin announced today that a “demilitarized” Ukraine with its own army, such as the example of Austria or Sweden, is being considered in the context of 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.

Peshkov’s reference to demilitarization appears to be linked to a neutral regime for Ukraine outside NATO. It is noted that Austria and Sweden are not members of NATO, while they belong to the EU.

Peshkov did not want to give further details, other than confirming that the idea of ​​a Swedish or Austrian model of neutrality is under discussion in discussions with Ukraine.

Ukraine: “Full security guarantees” required

However, the response of the Ukrainian side does 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 clarified that “full security guarantees” are required against Russia, under which the parties will pledge to intervene on the side of Ukraine in case 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.

Officially non-aligned Sweden is not a member of NATO, but a partner in the military alliance since the mid-1990s. In recent years, it has been gradually approaching NATO.

Sweden abandoned its neutrality at the end of the Cold War, when it joined the European Union (1995).

Austria, for its part, is neutral and cannot send troops to a war zone beyond UN missions.

Yesterday, Volodymyr Zelensky took a step towards finding a compromise solution, declaring that his country should never admit to joining the Atlantic Alliance.

“Difficult negotiations”

Earlier in the day, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said talks with Ukraine were difficult and slow, while stressing that Russia “sincerely wants peace as soon as possible.”

“Negotiations are difficult and moving at a slow pace. Of course, we would all like to go much faster, this is the sincere wish of the Russian side as well. We want to reach peace as soon as possible,” Medinsky was quoted as saying. Interfax agency.

“We want a peaceful, free, independent Ukraine, neutral – not a member of a military alliance, not a member of NATO,” he added.

Lavrov: There is some hope of reaching a compromise

For his part, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attacked the United States, stressing that he saw no indication that the US government was interested in resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The United States has a decisive role to play in determining the position of the Ukrainian authorities, but “today we do not see any interest from the United States in resolving the conflict quickly,” Lavrov told RBC.

Commenting on the progress of negotiations with the Ukrainian side, Lavrov noted that peace talks are not easy, but there is some hope of reaching a compromise and neutrality for Ukraine is being seriously considered.

“Negotiations are not easy for obvious reasons,” he said. “However, there is some hope of reaching a compromise. The neutral regime is now being seriously discussed together, of course, with security guarantees,” Lavrov said.

Ukraine has also been cautious in making positive statements about peace talks.

He says he intends to negotiate to the end, but will not surrender or accept Russian ultimatums.

According to Lavrov, key issues include the security of citizens in eastern Ukraine, the demilitarization of Ukraine and the rights of Russian-speaking people in Ukraine.

Announcing the invasion on February 24, President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of threatening Russia with NATO enlargement to the east in Russia’s backyard.

Putin has argued that there is no choice but to carry out the military operation because Russian-speaking people in Ukraine have been “genocide” by “nationalists and neo-Nazis” since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Ukraine and the West denounce genocide allegations as baseless.