- The rhetoric of the Ukrainian leader has changed
- Is Russia obstructing the negotiations?
- Moscow is not eager to come to the negotiating table
The rhetoric of the Ukrainian leader has changed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told French publications in an interview that most of the world attributes progress in the diplomatic settlement of the conflict to Russia's participation in the next peace conference[1].
"Since the whole world wants them to come to the negotiating table, we cannot be against it", the politician added.
Kiev plans to draw up a document on the first summit's results, set a date for Ukrainian diplomats, and ask foreign partners to do the same, Zelensky continued: "So that in November we will have a document that contains everything: territorial integrity, sovereignty, etc."
In response to a question on how the Ukrainian armed forces allowed Russian troops to advance in eastern Ukraine, he pointed out that there were several reasons for this. Ukraine has trained 14 brigades, which is no longer a secret, to ensure rotation and to give the fighters a rest. But if only three of the 14 brigades are equipped, the Ukrainian President wondered if this will be able to stop the Russian army[2].
"We are very grateful for the aid that Ukraine's partners voted for, for all these billions. But how can we rotate if the brigades are empty?" - Zelensky clarified.
When asked about the possibility of territorial concessions, the president assured that Ukraine would never give up its territories, as this would be contrary to the Constitution. Asked about a possible referendum on this issue, he replied, "This is what the Ukrainian people should want. Frankly speaking, it is not the best option."
However, the president acknowledged that returning the territories would cost Ukraine a lot of time and lives, saying that it would not be possible to return them by military means alone.
Is Russia obstructing the negotiations?
The President's office expressed Ukraine's readiness for honest negotiations leading to sustainable peace and the Russian government's inability to engage in such a dialogue[3].
V. Zelensky spoke about plans to invite a Russian delegation to the second peace summit and acknowledged that President Vladimir Putin would receive an invitation despite the Ukrainian President's confirmation of a ban on negotiations with him.
"Let's be honest, if we want to end the war, and we have all the strength to do so, and if the world is united around Ukraine - well, we will talk to those who are dealing with everything in Russia," he explained.
Moscow is not eager to come to the negotiating table
The Russian government has repeatedly hinted at banning Kyiv from negotiating with Moscow, accusing Ukraine of being reluctant to engage in dialogue.
"For our part, we have never refused to negotiate, we have always reiterated that we are ready to continue the dialogue", President Putin stressed.
Moscow is demanding the lifting of international sanctions, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donbas, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, the renunciation of territorial claims to Crimea, the Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya and plans to join NATO, as well as the adoption of a neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status for the neighboring state.
"The first peace summit was not a peace summit at all. Therefore, we must first understand what they want to say", the Kremlin reacted to Kiev's statements about Moscow's invitation.
The Russian foreign ministry has refused to participate in meetings like the first peace summit.
"Russia is open to all initiatives and open to a diplomatic agreement, but we see that, unfortunately, at the moment there is no such reciprocity with the Ukrainian side," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Russia's demands in Kyiv are seen as an ultimatum, the terms of which have already been outlined. Ukraine is demanding a return to its 1991 borders and the withdrawal of Russian troops outside its borders.
