War in Ukraine: The obstacles and what can advance in the negotiations

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On the 19th day of the war, with intense attacks that hit Kiev, Russia and Ukraine, international optimism shattered by ending another round of negotiations without an agreement. Talks are expected to continue this Tuesday.

This was the fifth official meeting of the delegations since February 24, the start of the Kremlin’s offensive in the former Soviet republic, considering three summits in Belarus and a meeting of the two countries’ high diplomacy last week in Turkey. We explain how trading desks work in this other edition of the newsletter.

The expectation regarding this Monday’s meeting was due to statements given by the two parties the day before:

• “Russia is already starting to speak constructively. I think we will achieve some results literally in a matter of days,” Mikhailo Podoliak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top adviser, said on Sunday;
• “This progress can grow in the coming days on a joint position of both delegations, on documents for signature,” said Leonid Slutski, a Russian negotiator.

Meanwhile: The climate of waiting confronts the reality of the Ukrainian streets, with incursions by Russian troops closer and closer to the Polish border.

Correspondent André Liohn reports the routine of bombings and military presence experienced by the few civilians who were unable to abandon cities around Kiev, anticipating a possible future for the capital.

Hours before diplomatic representatives sat down at the table, shelling hit a residential building in the capital. In Donetsk – one of the separatist areas supported by Russia – the missile fire killed about 20 people. Attacks have been constant in Mariupol, in the south of the country.

picture of the day

Do not get lost

What holds up negotiations? We explain what Russia’s demands are and how Ukraine has responded.

Demilitarization

• What Russia wants: Since the beginning of the invasion, Vladimir Putin has declared that his objective is to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine, accusing the Zelensky government of supporting neo-Nazi groups that attack the population of Russian origin.
• Ukraine’s position: He denies the accusation and says he does not accept military surrender

Neutrality

• What Russia wants: Putin demands that Ukraine include in its constitution that it will not join political or military blocs such as NATO or the European Union. Moscow claims that this kind of rapprochement with the West poses risks to its territory
• Ukraine’s position: Indicates that you can accept. Zelensky has already declared that he will no longer insist on joining NATO.

breakaway zones

• What Russia wants: Recognition of Crimea as Russian (the area was annexed by Putin in 2014) and two breakaway republics of Donbass (Luhansk and Donetsk) in the east as independent
• Ukraine’s position: Reject the idea. However, the fact that, in practice, it does not control these areas can facilitate an agreement

What to see and hear to stay informed

Understand the ideology that drives Putin in this episode of Breakfast and see the tracks of destruction in this exclusive account of the correspondent of the sheet in Ukraine.