On the same day that Russian forces attacked targets in Ukraine near the Polish border, signaling an escalation of tensions in the war in Eastern Europe, Moscow and Kiev gave the most optimistic signals yet, saying negotiations could lead to a deal. “in the next days”.
The first manifestation of the Ukrainian side came from Mikhailo Podoliako, who participates in the negotiations with the neighboring country and is an adviser to the president, Volodymyr Zelensky. He said on Sunday (13) that Ukraine did not intend to back down, but said talks had advanced.
“We are not going to give way in principle on any position, Russia now understands that. [Mas] Russia is already starting to speak constructively,” he said, in a video posted on social media. “I think we will achieve some results literally in a matter of days,” he said. “Our demands are an end to the war and the withdrawal of troops. . I see an understanding and there is a dialogue,” he wrote in the sequel.
On the Russian side, the RIA news agency quoted negotiator Leonid Slutski, who said the talks had made substantial progress.
“According to my personal expectations, this progress can grow in the coming days in a joint position of both delegations, in documents for signature,” said Slutski.
Neither side, however, has indicated what the scope of any agreement could be.
The comments were issued at almost the same time. They arrived on the 18th day of the war, which began when Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Also on Sunday, the United States confirmed the impression that Russia wants to negotiate. In an interview with Fox News, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that the US has been putting strong pressure on Russia, and that “that pressure is starting to have some effect”. “We are seeing some signs of serious and real negotiations,” she said, noting that “so far it appears that Vladimir Putin is intent on destroying Ukraine.”
Thousands of people were killed and more than 2.5 million Ukrainians left the country. Ukraine has said it is willing to negotiate but not surrender or accept any ultimatums.
Ukraine and Russia have already held three rounds of negotiations in Belarus, focusing on humanitarian issues and opening up corridors for civilians.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that there had been some “positive changes” in the negotiations, but did not elaborate. On Saturday, the Kremlin said discussions between Russian and Ukrainian officials continued “in video format” after the meetings in Belarus.
Last Thursday (10), Foreign Ministers Serguei Lavrov and Dmitro Kuleba met in Turkey, but without announcing any progress towards ending the conflict.
A Kremlin spokesman said on Monday that Russia was ready to halt military operations “quickly” if Kiev met a list of conditions. Among the demands were that Ukraine recognize Crimea as Russian territory and recognize the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent states.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview with the American channel ABC last week that “we can discuss and find a compromise on how these territories will continue to live”, adding that “we are not ready for capitulation”. [rendição]”.
