Russia's delayed memorandum signifies a strategic stall - assertion by Ukraine's Foreign Office
Russia's hesitance to share its draft peace negotiation memorandum has sparked concerns among Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who believe it may contain unrealistic demands and is intended to delay the peace process.
Georgii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the ministry, asserted on social media that the Russian draft likely contains unrealistic ultimatums, and Moscow is cautious about revealing its intent to hamper the peace process.
Tykhyi urged Russia to immediately release the document, echoing earlier statements from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Syriaiba had asked Russia to pass the document immediately and stop playing games that hinder the negotiation process.
On May 23, 2025, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umierov conveyed Ukraine's position to Russia but is still awaiting their memorandum in response. At the same time, President Zelenskyy denounced the fact that Russia had been drafting a purported "memorandum" on a ceasefire for a week as a mockery of the global community.
As analyses by independent experts suggest, Russian officials might be trying to dictate the terms and schedule of negotiations, including proposals that echo long-standing Russian narratives, such as blaming NATO expansion and discrimination against Russian speakers in Ukraine as causes of the conflict. These narratives are often viewed as unrealistic demands, as they would require Ukraine to compromise on its sovereignty and align with Russian foreign policy goals instead of focusing on mutual security concerns.
- The cautious approach by Russia in releasing its peace negotiation memorandum has stirred political concerns, as it is feared to contain unrealistic demands that could escalate the war-and-conflicts in the region.
- The possible inclusion of NATO expansion and Russian-speaker discrimination in the Russian peace memorandum, as suggested by independent experts, could be unrealistic general-news items, potentially undermining the health of Ukraine's foreign relations and the overall peace process.
