Russia and Ukraine are now working on signing a peace agreement, and according to Western sources, there is a “great distance” between the parties, writes Sky News.
Turkey has too invited the presidents of the countries to talks to arrive at a lasting ceasefire and a long-term solution. according to Sky News The Foreign Minister is working with Turkey to achieve this.
Ukraine’s foreign minister believes there is one thing that will determine whether there will be a breakthrough in the negotiations. They demand a ceasefire.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has led the Ukrainian delegation. He says that there is progress in some areas, but that Russia must stop the attacks before it is possible to make any compromises, writes The Guardian.
– CLEAR REQUIREMENTS: Ukraine’s defense minister and head of the country’s negotiating delegation, Oleksij Reznikov, say they will primarily negotiate a ceasefire. Photo: Gleb Garanich / Reuters / NTB
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First priority
The minister made the statement in a digital meeting with other politicians in the country’s defense committee on Thursday.
“We will, of course, first and foremost in the negotiations talk about a ceasefire, about humanitarian corridors, supplies to civilians and their evacuation and maybe later we can sign an agreement for peace,” Reznikov said.
He maintains that Ukraine will not capitulate, and says that the Ukrainian forces are ready to resist.
– Today we can say that the negotiations are more or less on a technical level, he says and adds that lawyers and politicians are involved in the talks.
He is also aware that as things stand now, the agreement is not something to be happy with yet.
– But I hope we will end this war very soon, and of course by defeating the Russians.
There is great doubt among the Ukrainian negotiating team and in the West about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin participates in the talks in good faith, writes The Guardian.
– MAJOR DAMAGES: A building was completely damaged during an attack in Mariupol. Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka / AP / NTB
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France: This is how Putin can be serious
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian sees similarities between the war in Ukraine and the wars in Syria and Chechnya.
– Just like in Grozny and in Aleppo, there are three elements that recur; arbitrary bombing, humanitarian corridors designed to accuse the other side of disrespect and aimless conversations, only to pretend to be negotiating, he says.
The foreign minister believes there is one way Putin can show that he is actually interested in negotiating, namely to get involved in an important issue; truce.
“Sanctions will intensify until Putin realizes that the cost of continuing the conflict will be so high that a ceasefire is preferable and will start real talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Financial Times wrote that Ukraine and Russia would be close to completing a 15-point preliminary peace agreement. Russia rejects this. Ukraine does the same.
One of the demands according to the newspaper is that Ukraine withdraws its desire to become a NATO member.
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who met with Zelensky on Tuesday, says the president is willing to agree to this demand, but that Ukraine needs something in return.
– Skepticism: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre believes there is reason to be skeptical of the negotiations when the fighting on the ground is still ongoing. Photo: Kristin Grønning / TV 2
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skepticism
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre believes there is reason to be skeptical of the negotiations because the battle on the ground is still in full force, even though the parties meet for negotiations.
– It is very difficult to say whether what is going on in the talks is something that helps to buy time for the warring party; that there is a conversation going on that keeps a hope going while it is still diminished with attacks. I think that is the most problematic thing in what we now see, Støre said at a press conference on Thursday.
– There is talk of possible agreements and future solutions, at the same time it is very difficult to see if sufficient humanitarian corridors are provided to get people out, and it also continues attacks on civilians, continues Støre, who has been former foreign minister.
Støre says it is good with all initiatives for talks, most recently from Turkey.
– We must look towards an end to this war. All initiatives that may come up, I think we should choose to take seriously and hope that it can succeed. There is no doubt that a country like Turkey has contacts and networks when that can be utilized, says Støre and continues:
– There is a reason to have a good dose of skepticism when we see what is happening on the ground.
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