Zelensky’s change of position on the terms of the ceasefire
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has said for the first time that he may be willing to agree to a ceasefire with Russian forces still in corol of the disputed lands in Kiev.
According to RCO News Agency, Zelensky previously emphasized that only the “complete withdrawal” of Russian forces and the restoration of Ukraine’s borders in 1991 should be a precondition for any future peace talks.
In an ierview with Sky News on Friday, Volodymyr Zelensky was asked to comme on rece reports that Preside-elect Donald Trump’s team is considering allowing Russia to retain territory it was in Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine’s NATO membership. to give
A Sky News reporter asked: “Ukraine joins NATO, but Russia takes corol and keeps the land it holds to this day. Is this possible?”
Zelenskiy said this could poteially serve as a basis for a ceasefire. He said: “If we wa to stop the acute phase of the war, we must take the territory of Ukraine under our corol under the umbrella of NATO.”
“We have to do it fast,” he added. And then in the case of (occupied) Ukrainian territory, Ukraine can return them diplomatically.”
Zelensky emphasized that such an arrangeme has never been officially offered to Ukraine. He clarified that Kiev will not officially renounce the claim of Crimea and four other regions that joined Russia after Russian referendums in 2014 and 2022, respectively.
The preside of Ukraine said: “According to the law, we cannot recognize any Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia as Russia. This is impossible. This is against the Constitution of Ukraine.”
Ukraine applied to join the US-led coalition in September 2022. However, NATO has made it clear that Ukraine cannot join the alliance uil the conflict with Russia is resolved.
According to Rasha Today, Moscow has emphasized that Ukraine should withdraw its forces from the parts of Donbas under its corol and recognize the curre borders of Russia. Russia also announced that Ukraine should abandon its plan to join NATO and become a permane neutral coury. Russian Preside Vladimir Putin has meioned NATO’s eastward expansion and military cooperation with Ukraine as one of the main reasons for the conflict.
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