Ukraine and the Demilitarized Zone: A Failed Proposal
Zelenskyy dismisses US plan for demilitarized zone: "Idea is no longer viable"
President Zelensky and his posse shot down an idea by some political pundits about a demilitarized zone in the ongoing conflict with Russia. During a powwow with Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk in Kyiv, Zelensky dismissed the notion, "The idea is currently dead." This idea was first floated by U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. According to Kellogg, Ukraine had proposed the creation of a jointly controlled demilitarized zone with Russia, reminiscent of a buffer zone, where both sides would withdraw 15 kilometers, creating a 30-kilometer-wide area monitored by third-party observers.
However, Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine had not proposed such a deal. He reasoned that a demilitarized zone would endanger Kyiv's control over critical Ukrainian cities. In his words, "If we agree on a buffer zone and withdraw 15 kilometers from cities like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy, there will seem to be peace, but the war will continue because the artillery will fly over them."
During this tense standoff, tempers flared, with Russian officials like Dmitri Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, calling the Europeans' proposals "bullshit." Medvedev suggested that Putin could "shove their peace plans up their ass." As the situation remains unstable, both sides continue to battle for control, making the prospect of a peaceful resolution seem far from realization.
Politics: Gathering Storm Over Russia Contacts
Amid the heated disputes, discussions about Russian contacts are creating a stir. Former SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich defended controversial contacts between Social Democrat politicians and Russian officials. For instance, SPD politician Rolf Stegner held a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, with Russian allies, causing an uproar among some parties. Many called for Stegner's expulsion from the Parliamentary Control Panel of the Bundestag for the control of the intelligence services (PKGr). Mützenich, however, dismissed these calls, referring to Stegner as "an honest politician" capable of separating different tasks.
In contrast, some politicians like Michael Roth expressed concern, calling the meeting "wrong at the wrong time in the wrong place." These instances highlight the delicate balancing act between trying to engage with Russia and maintaining pressure on Russia to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
The meeting in Baku focused on future prospects for the "Petersburg Dialogue," a dialogue forum launched in 2001 by then-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mützenich argues that these talks are essential in exploring possible avenues for peace. As tensions remain high, these discussions inject a significant dose of intrigue and uncertainty to the ongoing saga.
Visiting Dignitaries Mourn the Fallen in Ukraine
Over the past days, a handful of dignitaries visited Ukraine. Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside Ukrainian President Zelensky, paid their respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at the "Wall of Remembrance" in Kyiv. This emotional show of solidarity marked a poignant moment in the ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.
As the conflict drags on, there is mounting pressure on world leaders to achieve a lasting peace in the region. With the situation as unstable as ever, only time will tell whether these efforts will bear fruit, or if the war will continue to ravage the land and lives of the Ukrainian people.
- The proposed employment policy, which suggested creating a jointly controlled demilitarized zone with Russia, was rejected by President Zelensky, stating that it would endanger Kyiv's control over critical Ukrainian cities.
- During a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, SPD politician Rolf Stegner discussed future prospects for the "Petersburg Dialogue" with Russian allies, causing controversy and calls for his expulsion from the Parliamentary Control Panel of the Bundestag.
- French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Zelensky paid their respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers during a recent visit to Ukraine, marking a poignant moment in the ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.
- In the midst of heated disputes, discussions about political contacts with Russia have created a storm, with some politicians advocating for engagement while others insist on maintaining pressure to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
