Russia-Ukraine peace talks are gaining momentum as Russia said on Tuesday it would reduce its operations in the cities of Kiev and Chernigov to “build confidence” as delegations from both sides concluded today in Istanbul, Turkey. .
Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said the statement was aimed at “creating conditions for further talks,” the Associated Press reported.
The country has also announced the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, CNN reported.
“If this is the case, it is another important concession to President Zelensky, who from the beginning, before the invasion, demanded a face -to -face interview with President Putin,” CNN journalist Christian Amanpour said.
Any ceasefire could not end any time soon for the Ukrainian civilian population, burdened by Russia’s frustrated and delayed offensive. pic.twitter.com/RuBXSjv8V7
– Christian Amanpour (@amanpour) March 29, 2022
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country is hosting talks on Tuesday, called on both sides to end the war.
“Prolonging the conflict is not in anyone’s interest,” Erdogan said.
What does Russia want from the peace talks?
In a televised statement to Russian citizens on February 24, Putin explained the reasons for the war, which he called a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
“The purpose of this operation is to protect people suffering from the humiliation and genocide committed by the Kiev regime for eight years,” Putin said. Bloomberg. To this end, we will try to demilitarize and denationalize Ukraine.
The Kremlin also wants Russian to be the second official language in Ukraine.
Although The Financial Times reported on Monday, since these requests are not in the draft agreement prepared in the framework of the peace talks, Russia once again urges Ukraine to stay in the NATO alliance.
Furthermore, Moscow continues to argue that Crimea – which it merged in 2014 – and Lugansk and Donetsk – two territories controlled by Russian -backed separatists in the eastern Donbas region – should be officially recognized as Russian.
As for Crimea, Ukrainian negotiators said on Tuesday that they could resume negotiations for 15 years, provided the two countries suspend the use of military forces to resolve the issue.
Zelensky said on Sunday that he wanted a “compromise” in the Donbass. The Russian defense minister told military officials on Tuesday that the country had almost completed the initial phase of its operations and was now focused on the “main goal: the liberation of the Donbas,” the AP reported.
What does Ukraine want from the peace talks?
Ukraine called for a ceasefire, security guarantees and maintenance of the sovereignty and integrity of its territory. According to the BBC.
“I have long calmed down on this issue with NATO after we realized that NATO was not yet ready to accept Ukraine,” Zelensky told ABC News on March 8. According to Insider.
Zelensky confirmed that he is open to neutrality in Ukraine, which also means that the country must remain neutral in any future fighting and will not allow foreign military bases on its territory.
“Guarantees of safety and neutrality, the non-nuclear status of our state.” We are ready to do it, “Zelensky told reporters in Russia on Sunday, according to an English translation provided by Reuters.
All other European countries considered neutral, including Austria, Finland and Ireland, continue to have their own soldiers who can respond in the event of an attack. According to Vox.
However, Zelensky added that a ceasefire agreement must be reached before any agreement, including a commitment to neutrality, can go to a referendum.
“A referendum is impossible when there are troops,” he said.
Ukraine also called for security guarantees from countries including Russia, the United States, Germany and China, including David Arahamia, leader of Zelensky’s party in parliament and member of the Ukrainian negotiating team. He told the Financial Times. These guarantees will work like Article 5 of NATO, under which countries are obligated to support the member they attack, Arahamia explained.
Is a breakthrough really possible?
Although Russia has declared itself ready to relinquish its initial demands and stop some of its offensives, the West and Ukraine are not convinced that an inevitable victory is possible.
US President Joe Biden spoke by phone with leaders from France, Germany, Italy and the UK to discuss the latest developments. According to the BBC.
“Everything I saw [Putin] “He has no intention of compromising at this stage,” a senior U.S. State Department official said. He told Reuters on Monday.
Mikhail Podolyak, Zelensky’s senior aide, told ABC News on Thursday Although there has been real Russian involvement in the peace talks, it could take several months before any conclusions are reached.
“These are completely real negotiations,” Podoliak said. “There is no attempt to stop time. Not really. “
Previous talks between the delegations of the two countries to Belarus have been virtually fruitless.
Source: Huffpost
