Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the “peace formula” proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as fictitious. According to him, Russia will not negotiate with anyone on this basis.
In an interview with RIA News, the minister said in an interview with RIA News that reparations should be paid by Russia and “in international courts” He talked about the emergence of the “confession”.
Lavrov pointed out that Moscow does not intend to talk about such terms. According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyiv is “clearly” not ready for dialogue.
The minister also accused the President of Ukraine of ending the Russian-Ukrainian negotiation process, which began in February “at the behest of the Anglo-Saxons”.
“Several rounds of negotiations have shown that it is possible to find mutually acceptable agreements. “But the negotiation process that began in February showed that Zelensky was not completely independent in making important decisions,” he said.
According to him, Zelensky “stopped negotiations and sharply hardened his position”, as the “Anglo-Saxons” were interested in the ongoing hostilities.
Lavrov also reiterated that Moscow has not abandoned the idea of diplomatic settlement of the conflict.
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia finally ended in May. Lavrov said this happened after foreign media “spread fake news about the city of Bucha”.
In early April, Ukrainian and Western media published images of the bodies of civilians on the streets of Bucha, where the Russian army had left a few days ago. The city’s mayor, Anatoly Fedoruk, told French media that the people depicted in the photo were shot dead and 280 more were buried in mass graves.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation described the published materials as a provocation. However, Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian presidency, said that after the events in Bucha, the “emotional background” of the settlement negotiations changed.
After the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions joined Russia, the Ukrainian president declared that he refused to negotiate with Russia as long as it was headed by Vladimir Putin. Later, the Ukrainian side abandoned this condition.
Moscow conditions
According to the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, an integral part of the conditions for starting negotiations with Ukraine is the recognition of four new topics in its composition.
“The second major block of problems <…> – this is the security of the entire Russian Federation, which is exposed to a large number of threats created on the territory of Ukraine.
Lavrov also expressed the view that current Ukrainian politicians are “known for their inability to negotiate”. The minister also called them anti-Russian.
Could a sane political figure appear later in Kiev? “We’ll wait and see,” Lavrov said.
The Kremlin has repeatedly said that Ukraine’s “peace plan” should take into account the entry of new territories into Russia. Otherwise it “cannot claim to be peaceful.” Earlier, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov had pointed out that “any progress is impossible without taking these new facts into account”.
What is the “formula of the world”?
In early November, speaking at the G20 summit, the Ukrainian president listed 10 conditions of the “peace formula”, including restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory and cessation of hostilities. fixing the “end of the war”, the release of all prisoners and deportees, the “return to justice” (by this Zelensky means Russia paying compensation to Ukraine for the damage caused by military operations), as well as ensuring food, energy and nuclear security, and a number of other points.
Later, Volodymyr Zelensky announced “three steps” that, according to him, could bring peace in Ukraine closer. As part of these steps, he called for the supply of modern tanks, shells, artillery and other weapons to Ukraine to support Ukraine’s energy and financial stability, and to hold a summit to decide “how and when the points will be decided” of the “Ukrainian” peace formula. will be implemented.”
How is the Zelensky plan evaluated in the world?
In mid-December, the President of Ukraine said that the United States positively evaluated the “peace formula” offered by Kiev.
“I am glad to feel in conversation [с президентом США Джо Байденом]The peace formula we propose is welcomed. And it gives optimism. “The sooner all the points of this formula are put into practice, the stronger the security guarantees for Ukraine and all Europeans will be,” he said.
In addition, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said that not only the USA but also other G7 (G7) countries support the 10-point peace plan.
At the same time, a number of media outlets are skeptical of the possibility of resolving the conflict thanks to Ukraine’s proposals.
Especially in the editorial of the Chinese newspaper Global Times on its website, it is pointed out that it is not possible to organize a peaceful summit without Russia.
“Peace between Russia and Ukraine must be achieved by pushing for peace talks with the help of the international community. “More importantly, both Moscow and Kiev need to show a peaceful gesture and sincerity to achieve peace,” he said.
In their opinion, given the current situation, Moscow and Kyiv do not yet have a consensus on peace.
The Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper, on the other hand, did not find the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine realistic at this stage.
“When Ukraine proposes to hold an international peace summit, it seeks primarily diplomatic and political interests, not serious negotiations with Russia. Zelenskiy, with his visit to Washington after military successes and political progress on the ground, should show that his government is doing everything to end the bloody conflict,” the publication says.
The American magazine Newsweek also notes that the prospect of an early end to the conflict seems highly unlikely, given the statements by Putin and Zelensky about the conditions they need to agree to a peace deal.
Mark Katz, a professor of public administration and politics at George Mason University, argues that the main purpose of Russia’s declarations of readiness for negotiations is “to force the United States and NATO to cut or cease aid to Ukraine.”
At the same time, the publication points out that the incompatibility of the requirements of Moscow and Kiev will prevent the achievement of peace agreements.
Newsweek writes that “Zelensky’s repeated demands for the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity may be the biggest obstacle to any negotiation.”
While pointing out that Putin wants to keep the annexed areas, Ukraine insists that these areas remain attached to him.