NYT names Kyiv’s priorities in peace negotiations

Ukrainian officials, who have said throughout the war that they will not give up territory, place equal importance on obtaining security guarantees before potential negotiations that Donald Trump intends to hold. The New York Times reported this on Wednesday, November 13, citing Ukrainian officials.

Sources of the publication said that the protection of Ukraine’s interests in potential negotiations “does not depend on the territorial borders, which are likely to be determined by military operations,” but on what guarantees exist for compliance in the ceasefire.

“Negotiations should be based on guarantees that nothing is more important for Ukraine,” said Roman Kostenko, Chairman of the Defense and Intelligence Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Another senior Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, echoed this sentiment:

“The issue of territory is very important, but it is still the second issue. The first issue is security guarantees.”

Senior Ukrainian officials also said Kyiv wanted to ensure that any ceasefire line would not harm the country’s post-war economic recovery, for example by leaving industrial zones too dangerous for investment. The width of the demilitarized zone – the buffer zone between the two armies – will be a key factor, officials said.

Earlier, President Vladimir Zelensky said Russia must be forced to negotiate on the basis of international law, not terrorism.

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