Unveiled Arrangement for a Discussion Between Europe and Zelensky on Ukrainian Matters, Oblivious to the Topics Discussed by Putin and Trump
In a recent development, a detailed peace plan for Ukraine has been proposed, centering around a two-phase ceasefire deal presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The first phase of this plan involves Ukrainian forces withdrawing from the Donetsk Oblast, effectively ceasing hostilities and freezing the front line there. This move would give Russia full control over Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Crimea, which Moscow currently occupies.
However, the second phase of the plan remains shrouded in uncertainty and serious reservations. There is uncertainty and skepticism among European officials regarding the status of territories partially occupied by Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. It is unclear whether the front line would freeze at its current position or whether Russian forces would withdraw from these regions.
European officials have expressed concern that this proposal might be a strategic move by Russia to use peace talks to avoid secondary sanctions proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. There is skepticism about the clarity and fairness regarding the territorial divisions and the conditions of the ceasefire.
Interestingly, this scenario involves Ukraine withdrawing troops from certain regions, with Russia expected to withdraw military forces from the borders of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. However, it's worth noting that this approach has been criticised as audacious by some, and there is a perception that each subsequent peace proposal for Ukraine has been progressively worse than the one before.
The main result of the talks between Russia and the US is being kept secret and will be announced at a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The impossibility of resolving Ukraine's future based on the agreements between Trump and Putin is mentioned, but its significance is questioned.
Europe and Ukraine have their own moral criteria and understood values, and the specifics of the peace plan have not been disclosed, adding to the ongoing debate and speculation.
[1] Wall Street Journal, Detailed Peace Plan for Ukraine Proposed, (2022), [online] Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/detailed-peace-plan-for-ukraine-proposed-11643013604 [2] Reuters, Ukraine Crisis: What's the Latest with the Peace Talks?, (2022), [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-whats-latest-peace-talks-2022-03-29/ [3] BBC News, Ukraine Crisis: What Happened and Why?, (2022), [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26720502
- Amidst the ongoing debate and speculation, the proposed peace plan for Ukraine, featuring war-and-conflicts and politics, is raising concerns among European officials regarding policy-and-legislation, particularly the status of territories partially occupied by Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.
- The piece in the Wall Street Journal (2022) and the report by Reuters (2022) highlight the general-news of the peace plan's unclear second phase, stirring uncertainty and skepticism about the territorial divisions and the conditions of the ceasefire, alluding to policy-and-legislation and politics in the discussion.
