Russia-Ukraine Arms Truce Negotiations Hit Roadblocks in Istanbul
Diplomatic optimism diminishes post-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul, according to Kremlin's subdued comments
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A day following the brainstorming session in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine delegates, the Kremlin warned that a rapid solution or expeditious progress in the arms truce negotiations is unlikely. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov in Moscow on Tuesday, anticipating swift solutions and significant headway is inappropriate. He observed that the issue at hand is "mind-bogglingly complex," involving a myriad of intricate details.[1]
On Monday in Istanbul, undersecretaries from both Ukraine and Russia engaged in consultations. Both sides agreed on another prisoner exchange but failed to reach an agreement on an arms truce.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2021/12/14/world/europe/ap-eu-russia-ukraine-cease-fire.html
The Nitty-Gritty of the Dispute and Proposed Terms:
- Ceasefire Proposals: Ukraine has suggested an unconditional, immediate 30-day ceasefire, while Russia has put forward a brief two-to-three-day ceasefire, enabling both parties to recover the bodies of their deceased soldiers.[2][3]
- Preconditions for Ceasefire: Russia's suggestion comes with maximalist expectations, such as Ukraine entirely withdrawing from four territories in its east and south that Russia claims, a proposition that Ukraine has declined.[2][3]
- Direct Dialogue: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Putin has shown reluctance to interact, citing recent assaults on Russian territory.[1][2]
- Recent Aggressions: Putin has accused Ukraine of conducting "terrorist activities" on Russian railway lines, asserting these actions aim to derail the negotiations.[1][2]
The ambiance in the talks suggests that both parties still widely differ on key aspects, making it challenging to attain a comprehensive arms truce agreement.
[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-ukraine-illegally-transferred- artillery-fighting-positions-reuters-witnesses-2021-12-02/[3] https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia-attacks-ukraine
- The complexity of the Russia-Ukraine arms truce negotiations, as evidenced by the Kremlin's warning against expecting swift solutions and the wide differences in key aspects between the two parties, indicates that community policies, such as conflict resolution policies and diplomatic engagement strategies, might play a significant role in the resolution process.
- As the Russia-Ukraine negotiations stall over preconditions for a ceasefire and maximalist expectations from both sides, the employment policy, particularly in the areas of international relations and diplomacy, could be crucial in advocating for more flexible and accommodative negotiations to achieve a comprehensive agreement, considering the general-news implication of a prolonged conflict.
