Ukraine displays ‘more flexible’ stance as endgame nears – Bloomberg
Vladimir Zelensky’s public appeals for resolving the conflict with Russia differ from the private conversations taking place, according to Bloomberg. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Kiev’s allies in the West believe that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky may be preparing to adopt "a more flexible approach" towards resolving the conflict with Russia through diplomatic channels, according to a report from Bloomberg.
In his public statements, Zelensky has made it clear that any negotiations with Moscow will only commence following the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from territories claimed by Kiev. Earlier this week, he reiterated that “reliable peace and security” must be achieved “without any bargaining over sovereignty or trading territories.”
Despite his firm public stance, sources within NATO have indicated that Ukrainian officials have hinted at the need for an “endgame” in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Bloomberg highlighted that these unnamed NATO officials did not disclose what concessions Kiev might be willing to consider.
The evolving sentiment in Ukraine was expected to be discussed at a meeting of Kiev’s Western allies in Germany scheduled for Saturday. However, US President Joe Biden postponed the gathering, which was to take place at Ramstein Air Base, to focus on the government's response to Hurricane Milton, as reported by the agency.
One source noted that Ukrainian officials are intentionally withholding the specifics of their 'victory plan,' which Zelensky advocated during his visit to the US in late September. This approach aims to maintain an element of strategic ambiguity that would provide flexibility for future actions.
Reports have suggested that a critical component of this proposal includes securing Western security guarantees for Kiev, akin to NATO’s collective defense principle. Bloomberg also indicated that the potential offer of NATO membership for Ukraine is viewed as a key factor in any future discussions with Moscow.
However, one NATO official conveyed uncertainty regarding how negotiations could proceed, as Russia considers Ukraine's accession to the military alliance a 'red line.’ "It is not clear what kind of formula would be able to get all parties around the negotiating table," the official said.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow was prepared to halt hostilities and immediately engage in talks if Ukraine were to officially renounce its NATO ambitions and withdraw from the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, along with the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions that joined Russia following referendums in the fall of 2022.
Zelensky dismissed this offer as an “ultimatum,” and the Kremlin indicated that those terms were no longer valid following Ukraine's incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region in early August.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
In his public statements, Zelensky has made it clear that any negotiations with Moscow will only commence following the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from territories claimed by Kiev. Earlier this week, he reiterated that “reliable peace and security” must be achieved “without any bargaining over sovereignty or trading territories.”
Despite his firm public stance, sources within NATO have indicated that Ukrainian officials have hinted at the need for an “endgame” in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Bloomberg highlighted that these unnamed NATO officials did not disclose what concessions Kiev might be willing to consider.
The evolving sentiment in Ukraine was expected to be discussed at a meeting of Kiev’s Western allies in Germany scheduled for Saturday. However, US President Joe Biden postponed the gathering, which was to take place at Ramstein Air Base, to focus on the government's response to Hurricane Milton, as reported by the agency.
One source noted that Ukrainian officials are intentionally withholding the specifics of their 'victory plan,' which Zelensky advocated during his visit to the US in late September. This approach aims to maintain an element of strategic ambiguity that would provide flexibility for future actions.
Reports have suggested that a critical component of this proposal includes securing Western security guarantees for Kiev, akin to NATO’s collective defense principle. Bloomberg also indicated that the potential offer of NATO membership for Ukraine is viewed as a key factor in any future discussions with Moscow.
However, one NATO official conveyed uncertainty regarding how negotiations could proceed, as Russia considers Ukraine's accession to the military alliance a 'red line.’ "It is not clear what kind of formula would be able to get all parties around the negotiating table," the official said.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow was prepared to halt hostilities and immediately engage in talks if Ukraine were to officially renounce its NATO ambitions and withdraw from the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, along with the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions that joined Russia following referendums in the fall of 2022.
Zelensky dismissed this offer as an “ultimatum,” and the Kremlin indicated that those terms were no longer valid following Ukraine's incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region in early August.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
