Amid reports that the US President, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin of Russia may have a call this week to agree on a ceasefire, Ukraine has reportedly prepared a series of “red lines” it wants Russia to toe, according to a report.
Kyiv has reportedly informed the US about its demands, but believes Russia is unlikely to accept a reasonable deal.
These include not ceding any more territory despite Putin’s intention to take four Ukrainian regions occupied by the Russian military, according to a report by the Independent.
While Ukraine is willing to accept the current battle lines with Russia holding on to some territory for the ceasefire to work, it won’t accept ceding additional territory. “It is not reasonable to demand that, for example, Zaporizhzhia or Kherson be fully handed over,” Independent quoted an unnamed official.
Kyiv is hoping to retake these territories with diplomacy, the official added.
It also insists on the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Ukraine claims at least 20,000 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of families. Kyiv wants the policies of “Russification” on these children stopped, which include “forced passport adoption and re-education.”
theweek.in learnt that the other conditions include the return of thousands of civilians illegally held by Russia. Kyiv also wants international security guarantees should Putin infringe on any ceasefire deal.
Ukraine has reportedly informed the US of its red lines at the meeting in Jeddah. Ukraine also wouldn’t want any curbs on the size of the defence forces, no prohibitions on Ukraine’s participation in international organisations, including the EU and NATO. However, high-level Ukrainian sources briefed on the ongoing talks believe it is unlikely that Russia would accept a reasonable deal. “We expect another trick,” he told the Independent.
The report also quoted an official who said Ukraine was “willing to make peace and needed long-lasting peace, not a short ceasefire.” “Putin is playing games. We have made a strong move – now it is his turn.
“We have proved we are reasonable; we are willing to have peace – if Russia doesn’t agree, the whole world will see they are liars.”
theweek.in
