Russia has been waging a war of aggression in Ukraine for three weeks now. Kharkiv is particularly competitive.
(Photo: Reuters)
Dusseldorf The negotiations between Ukraine and Russia about an end to the war are apparently becoming more concrete. Documents for possible direct talks between Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are being prepared, the Russian state agency Ria Novosti quoted Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak as saying in an interview with US broadcaster PBS on Wednesday.
“The only way to end this war is for direct talks between the two presidents. That’s what we’re working on in these negotiations,” Podoljak said. These documents are currently being drawn up, which the heads of state can then agree on and sign. “It could happen soon.”
According to information from the British Financial Times (FT), both sides are working on a 15-point plan. First and foremost are the neutrality demanded by Russia and the demilitarization of Ukraine, as well as the withdrawal of Russian troops demanded by Kyiv.
The FT told Podoliak that territorial disputes should be discussed later. “So far we are talking about a guaranteed withdrawal [der russischen Truppen] from the territories occupied since the start of the military operation on February 24,” he said.
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Russia is demanding that Ukraine recognize the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the independence of the two people’s republics of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.
On Wednesday evening, however, Podoljak dampened expectations of an early peace. The plan only reflects the Russian demands, “no more,” he wrote on Telegram. The Ukrainian side has its own position.
The only thing he can currently confirm as a basis for discussion is a ceasefire, a withdrawal of Russian troops and security guarantees from a number of states, the negotiator wrote.
Conflicting signals from Moscow
The hope for a diplomatic solution in the Ukraine war gave the German stock market a boost: at its peak, the leading index Dax was up more than four percent. The euro also gained slightly.
On the other hand, sharp tones came from Putin himself. On state television, the Kremlin chief made serious allegations against the West and, in view of the sanctions imposed, accused it of pursuing the “plan of an economic blitzkrieg against Russia”. At the same time, he prepared the people for rising inflation and higher unemployment.
>> Read here: Putin defends the Ukraine war and prepares Russians for economic problems
In its article, the FT refers to three people involved in the talks. After that, Ukraine and Russia would have made more progress on the plan that could lead to a ceasefire and a Russian withdrawal. In return, Kyiv should declare its neutrality and agree to a limitation of the armed forces.
Negotiators secretly discussed the plan for the first time on Monday. Ukraine should refrain from joining NATO. In return, however, Kyiv demands security guarantees from Western countries. This point could still become a major obstacle in further talks – as well as the status and recognition of the separatist areas in eastern Ukraine.
Kyiv rejects Swedish-style neutrality
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sees a chance for a compromise. There are already concrete formulations “which, in my opinion, are about to be agreed,” Lavrov said on Wednesday morning.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at noon that a neutral Ukraine with its own military based on the Austrian or Swedish model is a possibility in the negotiations. “It’s a variant that’s being talked about and could be seen as a bit of a compromise.”
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However, the Kiev leadership has rejected calls for Swedish-style neutrality. What Ukraine needs is “a powerful pool of supporters with clearly stated security guarantees,” said presidential adviser and negotiator Podoliak.
A firm agreement is needed, in which a group of states must guarantee clear legal obligations to actively prevent future attacks, he said. Such a model is on the negotiating table.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said in a video message that peace negotiations must result in an agreement that is fair to Ukraine and includes reliable security guarantees to protect against future threats. He had recently indicated that his government could be willing to renounce NATO membership under certain conditions in the negotiations with Russia.
With agency material.
More: The current events in the Ukraine war can be found in our news blog