On Sunday interview with freelance Russian journalistsPresident Zelensky spoke about Ukraine ‘s readiness to talk about a neutral status if the fighting stops.
“Guarantees of security and neutrality, a non-nuclear regime for our country. “We are ready for that,” Zelensky said.
At first glance, this looks like a significant development.
By neutrality, Ukraine would renounce its ambition to join the NATO Alliance, one of the reasons Russia cites the initial start of the invasion.
But there are a number of important reservations.
First, security guarantees: President Zelensky made it clear in his interview that in order to deliver a deal, Western countries would have to commit to a serious deal in support of Ukraine.
Secondly, Zelensky says Russia should return to its pre-February 24 positions. But having fought so hard to gain ground, it is very difficult to see Russia agree to this, especially in the south and east of the country.
Thirdly, is the process. If Ukraine is to adopt neutrality, Zelensky says there should be a referendum and constitutional changes, which could take up to a year.
Would Russian President Vladimir Putin agree to agree at the end of the war if the Ukrainian people could then reject the key concessions that Putin himself could make to Zelensky?
And finally – and most important of all – there is an unanswered question about what Russia really wants from this war.
Does it have to do with NATO security and ambitions as Moscow initially claimed?
Does it have to do with even more territory in Eastern Ukraine?
Or is President Putin determined to permanently deactivate Ukraine’s ability to function as an independent and sovereign state?
kathimerini.gr
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