Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday he is willing to compromise with Russia on the Donbass region. EPA/Ukreainian Presidential Press Service
* Turkish president Erdoğan spoke to Putin about a potential ceasefire in Ukraine
* In a statement he said Istanbul was chosen as a neutral location for peace talks
* He also discussed improving the humanitarian situation in Ukraine with Putin Ukraine could adopt a neutral status as part of a peace deal with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted last night.
He told Russian media - who were warned not to report the interview - such a pact would have to be guaranteed by third parties and put to a referendum.
Zelensky said Russia's invasion had caused the destruction of Russian-speaking cities in Ukraine, and said the damage was worse than the Russian wars in Chechnya.
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WNU Editor: The interview is below (in Russian only). I understand Russian, and I watched Ukraine President Zelensky's entire interview with these journalists .... an interview that is banned in Russia.
From what I saw and heard I am not optimistic.
He is imposing numerous conditions that are not feasible in the current situation. Wanting to hold a referendum and/or involving third parties in any peace agreement will take time, and time is something that Ukraine does not have. Ukraine is at war, and this is a situation where President Zelensky must make the final decision to agree to the terms of a peace deal or not.
But he better make it fast. Russia's military campaign in the east is accelerating, and after the inevitable fall of Mariupol Russian forces will be freed-up to advance to the north in an attempt to try to split the country into two. An outcome that even Ukraine's military intel chief is now predicting may happen (see previous post).
Ukraine President Zelensky Says He Is Open To Accepting Neutral Status In Any Peace Deal With Russia
Ukraine willing to be neutral, says Russia wants to split nation -- Reuters
Ukraine is willing to compromise on Donbass to end war: Zelensky -- NYPost
Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells Russian journalists Ukraine willing to adopt neutral status -- ABC News Australia
Ukraine prepared to discuss neutrality status, says Zelensky -- RTE
Zelenskyy says willing to discuss Russia’s neutrality demand -- Al Jazeera
Zelensky Tells Russian Media He’s Open To Neutrality—But Ukrainians Need To Vote First -- Forbes
There is a threshold number of casualties that Russia cannot afford or it loses peripheral territories in the Caucasus or the Stans.
ReplyDeletePerformance of the Russian army also matter. The Chechens are observing the performance of the Russian units around it. They might make a calculation that That if Russia hold on Ukraine is tenuous and they are tied down, there might be a chance to break free.
What do Chechens think when they do what Russian conscripts cannot or won't do?
Maciej Jonasz SEP 2021:
"Although Chechnya is part of Russia, it is difficult to say just how far federal authority extends in the province. Though, the Kremlin is satisfied wit the status quo, glad to maintain territorial integrity and let the government in Grozny deal with dissent rather than spill federal troops blood.
The Chechen also appear to be content that the Russians do not interfere too much in their affairs and fight for Russia in paces like Syria or Eastern Ukraine. However, this is not say that dreams of independence have been extinguished . Just as the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the First Chechen War, a sever enough crisis in Russia may bring a third one. if the Chechens see an opportunity to attain sovereignty."