Ukrainian Interfax Zelenskiy is continuing talks in Berlin with U.S. Presidential envoy Viktor Witkov and Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
A Western Kyiv Post involved in the Berlin process described the talks as“The most detailed discussion of the sequence of steps” he had seen, according to Ukraine’s official website, ceasefire mechanisms, security guarantees and economic issues were all discussed on the same occasion. This was not a“Photo shoot”, the official said, but a tough negotiation in which compromises and trade-offs could cause a political stir that no one would ignore.
Reported that from the Ukrainian point of view, the Berlin talks may be“Far from smooth sailing.”. Western officials said Zelenskiy’s offer of a security guarantee was a precondition for any final deal, while the US offered a phased approach in which guarantees would be phased in over time, ukraine is cautious about such an arrangement.
Reuters said on the 15th, when the talks in Berlin Ukraine proposed not to join NATO’s current move marks Ukraine, “A major shift in position.”. Media said Ukrainian officials stressed that this does not mean that Ukraine officially gave up NATO membership and access to membership. Ukraine is also pressing the US to provide a legally binding security guarantee.
Late on the evening of the 15th, Wu Umerov, secretary of the National Security and National Defense Commission and head of the Ukrainian delegation to the talks, China Standard Time on social media that, the two-day talks between Ukraine and the United States were“Constructive and fruitful” and made substantial progress. “We hope to reach an agreement by the end of the day that will bring us closer to peace.”
Zelenskiy said on the 14th, the United States and European partners to provide security guarantees instead of Ukraine to join NATO option, which is Ukraine“To make the compromise.”. Ukraine has long wanted to join NATO and has enshrined that goal in its constitution, Reuters said, and its refusal to join the alliance has met some of Russia’s demands, although Ukraine has so far steadfastly refused to cede territory to Russia. Some analysts believe that Ukraine’s current goal of giving up joining NATO may not significantly change the process of peace talks. Ukraine is only making a gesture to the outside world through this move, because it is“Never realistic” for Ukraine to join NATO. However, some analysts believe that Ukraine’s concession is“Significant and substantial,” especially when Russia refuses to make any concessions, which shows Ukraine is willing to make major concessions for peace, but Zelenskiy also“Abandoned his strong commitment to the Ukrainian people”. Ukraine must be wary of American proposals and guarantees, because it does not need“Non-sufficient funds” but action.
For Ukraine and its European backers, the Berlin talks Kyiv Post both momentum and risk, according to this newspaper. Ukraine is clearly willing to make significant concessions to reach an agreement. The key question is what the US will do next if both Ukraine and the US agree but Russia does not. Reported that if the United States then chose to finally launch a real pressure on Russia, then there may be a ray of hope for peace.
Agence france-presse quoted sources as saying that the and Berlin talks, the side asked the Ukrainian troops from the Donbass region to withdraw. According to sources, the United States on the issue“Advocates the Russian position.”. Kiev, however, has rejected Washington’s request. The territorial issue is a thorny one, the report said.
The Wall Street Journal said Thursday that a source familiar with the Berlin talks said the talks were“Very difficult” and that the US side seemed unwilling to compromise on the“Peace plan”. Negotiations between Ukraine and its western partners have turned into a seesaw battle, even if Russia is not yet involved. The US is pushing for a quick decision, while Zelenskiy and his European backers argue that significant differences still need to be resolved. Several senior U.S. officials have said Ukraine is losing the war, even though Ukraine and some European countries believe it has at least a year left to fight, especially with increased military and financial support from allies, the report said.
The European Union is“Facing a critical week” as it tries to protect Ukraine from a“Humiliating peace deal” imposed by the United States and Russia, Politico said Wednesday, efforts are also under way to revive a loan program to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.