As reported by the New York Times, changes in the White House could change Kiev's thinking in the context of ending the war. The media reports that Donald Trump will do everything possible to hasten the moment when Ukraine and Russia conclude a ceasefire agreement.
The authors draw attention to Russia's advances on the front, where Ukrainian forces are losing more and more land in the east. The newspaper, citing two senior Ukrainian officials, said defending Ukraine's interests during potential talks would be based on what guarantees could be negotiated to maintain the ceasefire. Questions of territorial borders, which would “probably be 'demarcated' in the field,” would become less important.
Ukraine war and Donald Trump. Is Kiev changing its approach?
– Chairman of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Committee Roman Kostenko said that talks should be based on guarantees. Another person, who spoke anonymously, said more directly: – Although the territorial issue is very important, it is still a secondary issue. The first is a guarantee of safety.
These reports are surprising given the narrative Kiev has been pushing. Officials have repeatedly asserted that they are not considering giving up territory currently occupied by the Russians as part of a cease-fire or truce.
Currently, Russia controls about 20%. A territory of Ukraine established by the declaration of independence in 1991. Kostenko also pointed out that Kiev has no intention of abandoning any Russian-occupied territory. President Zelenskiy has previously emphasized this: “No matter what path we choose, no one will legally recognize the occupied territory as the property of another country.''
One way for Ukraine to protect itself from further Russian aggression is to join NATO, but it believes there is no room for membership in the alliance under the accelerated process. Another idea is to provide Ukraine with weapons supplies that could act as a deterrent to Moscow.
War in Ukraine. Ceasefire for security? media coverage
The American daily also mentioned a proposed guarantee that would obligate other countries to defend Ukraine if it were attacked again in 2022, an idea Russia firmly rejected. The Kremlin has also rejected the option of Ukraine joining NATO in the future, stressing that it wants to maintain control of the occupied territories.
Discussions about a possible deal intensified with new forces after the election of Donald Trump, who promised to seek immediate negotiations. As the Mainichi points out, this is a significant change compared to the tactics of Joe Biden, who insisted that Ukraine itself should decide the timing and terms of any ceasefire.
For Kiev, in the context of negotiations, the occupation of parts of Russia's Kursk Oblast will play an important role, as it will become a kind of “bargaining chip” for Ukraine in negotiations. However, the paper suggests that it is highly unlikely that a deal will be reached before the spring.
The change in approach can be seen not only among diplomats but also in Ukrainian society. According to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 32 percent of the public would support a “territorial peace” solution. Last year, 19 percent favored this option. Respondent.
Source: “New York Times”
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