At 15:00 on Sunday, an significant negotiation meeting between the USA and Ukraine started in Berlin.
LAST: The meeting is still ongoing at the time of writing, at 20.30. The parties had a coffee break at 19.15.
From Ukraine, President volodymyr Zelenskyj is running. the US is represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has met Vladimir Putin several times in recent months, and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared kushner.
- The American peace proposal,which favors russia,will not be accepted in its current form.It is indeed this proposal that is now being renegotiated in Berlin, writes German Bild Sunday evening.
Storavisen learns that Witkoff has had ongoing contact with Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov during the meeting.In its headline, Bild reports that Zelenskyj is now “fighting against a dirty deal in Berlin”.
According to Bild, Zelenskyj and his team are willing to discuss land relinquishments, but only if they first get extensive security guarantees in place. The German newspaper further reports that the parties are far apart.
US Proposes Demilitarized Zone in Donetsk,ukraine
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A few days ago,the US proposed a demilitarized “free economic zone” in the remaining Ukrainian-held territory of Donetsk – the white and green area at the top of the map. Russia has spent many years taking the first three quarters of the region and is currently advancing very slowly on the battlefield. The purple color on the map shows areas Russia occupied between 2014 and 2022, while the red area represents territory occupied after 2022.
According to Ukrainian President Zelenskyj, the proposal envisions Ukrainian forces leaving the territory in Donetsk, with the alleged compromise being that Russian forces will not enter this zone.
Loophole: Armored forces in the “free zone”
The british professor says that this area,which also contains a number of important Ukrainian cities and defense works,in a demilitarized scenario will be emptied of military forces. The idea is that Russia should not be able to use the area as a springboard for further invasion of Ukraine later.
Read also: Longing for Putin after ukrainian success: – Fainthearted tyrant
galeotti nevertheless fears that there is an opportunity for Putin to find a loophole:
- Russian police is divided into two institutions: the regular police and the National Guard.When the National Guard was created in 2016, they took over all the special units, which are well-armed rapid response units, says Galeotti.
RUSSIA EXPERT: Mark Galeotti has written several books about Putin’s Russia, and in his work, among other things, interviewed eight Russians with either a background from, or strong links to, the contry’s intelligence service, in order to gain an insight into how Putin is influenced by his surroundings. Photo: Screenshot.
Zelenskyy Signals potential for Ceasefire, Criticizes Western Support for Offensive Operations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to consider a ceasefire based on current front lines, while concurrently expressing frustration with the lack of robust support from the United States and Europe for a major offensive operation. He voiced these concerns to reporters on Sunday, highlighting a divergence in strategy regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelenskyy’s Ceasefire Proposal
Zelenskyy’s suggestion of a ceasefire based on the existing front lines represents a potential shift in ukraine’s publicly stated goals. Previously, the Ukrainian government has maintained that any peace deal must involve the full restoration of its territorial integrity, including Crimea and all regions currently occupied by russia. However, with a protracted conflict and limited ammunition supplies, Zelenskyy appears to be exploring all possible avenues for de-escalation.
“A ceasefire based on today’s front line could be a possible solution,” Zelenskyy stated, signaling a pragmatic approach to the challenging realities on the ground. This doesn’t necessarily represent a complete abandonment of Ukraine’s territorial claims, but rather an acknowledgement of the current military stalemate.
Criticism of Western Support
The Ukrainian President also sharply criticized the US and European nations for failing to provide sufficient support for a large-scale offensive aimed at liberating occupied territories. He specifically lamented the lack of necessary weaponry and ammunition.
“The US and Europe have not supported us in that direction,” Zelenskyy told reporters, indicating a disconnect between ukraine’s strategic ambitions and the level of assistance being provided by its allies. This criticism comes amidst ongoing debates in the US Congress regarding further aid packages to Ukraine, and concerns within Europe about maintaining consistent levels of military support. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-says-us-europe-not-supporting-offensive-2024-02-11/
The specific types of support Zelenskyy is seeking include long-range artillery, air defense systems, and a consistent supply of ammunition, all crucial for conducting a sustained offensive. The delay in providing this assistance has reportedly hampered Ukraine’s ability to capitalize on potential vulnerabilities in Russian defenses.
Background: The Current State of the Conflict
The conflict in Ukraine,which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022,has evolved into a war of attrition. While Ukraine successfully repelled initial Russian advances, the front lines have largely remained static for months, notably in the east and south of the country. https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/ukraine
Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and has caused a significant humanitarian crisis, displacing millions of Ukrainians.
Key Takeaways:
* Potential Shift in Strategy: Zelenskyy’s openness to a ceasefire based on current lines suggests a willingness to explore pragmatic solutions.
* Frustration with Allies: Ukraine is expressing dissatisfaction with the level of military support received from the US and Europe.
* Stalemate on the Ground: The conflict has largely settled into a war of attrition with static front lines.
* Continued Need for Support: Ukraine continues to require substantial military assistance to defend its territory and potentially launch counteroffensives.
Looking Ahead
The coming months will be critical in determining the future trajectory of the conflict. The outcome will likely depend on several factors, including the continued flow of Western aid to Ukraine, Russia’s ability to mobilize resources, and the willingness of both sides to engage in meaningful negotiations. Zelenskyy’s recent statements suggest a growing recognition that a purely military solution may not be achievable in the short term, potentially paving the way for a more complex and nuanced approach to resolving the conflict.