One of the negotiators Ukraine say Russia has accepted the request Kyiv unwritten, except for one thing, namely the Crimea issue.
“The Russian Federation has given official answers to all requests, which led them to accept the (Ukraine) position, except for the Crimea issue (which was annexed by Russia in 2014),” said Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia, Saturday (2/4), quoted from AFP.
Arakhamia said, the Russian side gave this answer verbally, not in writing.
Not only discussing the possibility of an agreement in negotiations, Arakhamia said Moscow had agreed to hold a neutral status referendum in Ukraine. He also considered this step the only way to get out of the war.
Asked if Ukrainians might reject their country’s neutral status, Arakhamia replied, “we may return to a state of war, or resume new negotiations.”
The Kremlin has insisted that it wants Ukraine to adopt a neutral status, given that Putin fears the country will pose a security threat to Russia if it joins NATO.
Previously, Turkey hosted the Russia-Ukraine peace talks which took place in Istanbul on March 28-30.
However, the two countries again failed to reach a truce.
“Is it over? No. Some steps were taken to reduce tensions, even though we were not seen much on the ground. Some said it was a maneuvering tactic. Some were skeptical. We are wary,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, as quoted by Reuters on Thursday (Thursday). 31/3).
Although the ceasefire failed, Russia and Ukraine agreed on several issues that could be discussed further, including Ukraine’s readiness to assume a neutral status.
In addition, they also agreed to re-discuss the status of Crimea, Ukraine’s security guarantees, and a possible meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenksy and President Vladimir Putin.
(pwn / bac)
–
