Refusing to provide Russia another opportunity to fracture Ukraine, as the possibility of a third instance arises with a second chance
The ongoing peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are in a critical phase, with both sides seeking a resolution to the long-standing conflict. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has not shown a willingness to offer sufficient concessions for a peace agreement.
Zelensky has maintained a firm stance, stating that Ukraine will not allow Russia to divide its territories. He believes the war has led to the occupation of parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as Crimea. The President emphasised that a worthy peace is needed, not just a pause in killings.
In a recent statement, Zelensky noted that there's more understanding on the lists and they are counting on results. He also stated that Ukraine will stand firmly on clear Ukrainian positions. The President believes that a worthy peace will be based on a clear, reliable security architecture.
Zelensky has stated that Ukraine supports all the proposals of U.S. President Donald Trump, starting from February. He also believes that Putin is trying to get out of sanctions by pausing the war and killing. The President warned that if Russia is allowed a second attempt to divide Ukraine, there will likely be a third.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Putin told Trump's special envoy Steve Bannon that Russia would halt military actions in Ukraine in exchange for significant territorial concessions from Kiev and international recognition of occupied territories. However, Zelensky believes that Putin wants to exchange a pause in the war for the legalization of the occupation of Ukrainian land.
The upcoming meeting between Zelensky and former President Trump in Washington is seen as a crucial step in the peace process. U.S. officials view Trump as uniquely positioned to engage Putin and facilitate talks. The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has stressed that peace requires concessions from both Russia and Ukraine; a one-sided concession would be a surrender, not peace.
Rubio also stated that harsher U.S. sanctions on Russia would derail peace talks and prolong the conflict, suggesting engagement with Putin is necessary to progress toward peace. The U.S. position is that Ukraine must decide which conditions it can accept. The U.S. is not in a position to accept or reject peace deals on Ukraine’s behalf.
Overall, the situation remains complex with no immediate breakthrough. Putin maintains original war aims and offers limited concessions, while U.S. officials emphasise Ukraine’s central involvement and advocate for private, serious negotiations facilitated by high-level engagement including from President Trump.
- The discussion surrounding peace negotiations, war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news is intensifying, as both Ukraine and Russia strive for a resolution in their long-standing conflict.
- Despite a recent offer from Russia to halt military actions in exchange for concessions from Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that Putin wants to exchange a pause in the war for the legalization of the occupation of Ukrainian land, highlighting his firm stance on territorial integrity.
