Ukrainian President Zelensky's Stance on Engaging Directly with Russia for Peace Negotiations
When Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrates that he can be bound by an agreement he signs, then it might be worth considering 'negotiating' with him. However, considering Zelensky's approach and the current situation, this seems highly unlikely.
Peace Talks and Preconditions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's stance on engaging directly with Russia on peace negotiations is straightforward: Russia must first withdraw to the internationally recognized borders of 1991 before any peace talk can begin. This is based on the premise that for any negotiation to be meaningful, one of the parties must be in a position of strength and legitimacy.
Russia's Goals and Objectives
Russia does not seek peace but rather Ukraine's surrender, aiming to invade Europe through Ukraine. The Russian military has no intention of withdrawing from the territories it has occupied since 2022, which is a non-negotiable condition for any peace treaty negotiation.
Ukraine's Achievements and Russia's Demands
Ukraine has recaptured over 50% of the territory initially seized by Russia since 2022. Despite this progress, Russia's "peace plan" involves Ukraine agreeing to Russia maintaining its control over the occupied territories, effectively allowing it to retain the gains of the war.
Human Rights Abuses and War Crimes
Russia's operations in Ukraine involve the arrest, torture, and killing of local residents who refuse to become Russian citizens. Every de-occupied territory has experienced torture chambers and mass graves, with thousands of Ukrainians disappearing under Russian control.
In addition to war crimes, Russia has also been accused of kidnapping Ukrainian children, with Putin facing an arrest warrant from the Hague for these actions. The Russian military continues to mobilize men from these occupied territories for use in conflicts elsewhere in Europe.
Russian Aggression and Future Plans
Russia's agenda includes shifting NATO to its 1997 borders, reviving Soviet control over eastern Europe, and expanding the so-called "Russian world." Ukraine is seen as a key component of Putin's plan to restore the USSR's influence. Despite losing a significant number of resources in Ukraine, Russia is not willing to abandon the conflict.
Russian propaganda and military efforts are focused on destabilizing more regions, such as Kharkiv, Sumy, crossing the Dnieper, and capturing cities like Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa. Their strategy involves massive forces and resources, far beyond what they can realistically maintain.
Internal Dissent and Resource Limits
Internally, Russia faces significant dissent and struggles to maintain order in the occupied territories. Drone and partisan attacks consistently disrupt Russian logistics, causing significant loss of personnel. At the same time, Russians are asking when the war will end, indicating growing frustration with the conflict.
Russia's only hope for "winning" is Ukraine's capitulation, which is why their peace offers are effectively demands for surrender and occupation. This aligns with Russia's poor track record in adhering to international agreements, as evidenced by their selective denunciation of treaties they find unfavorable.
Zelensky’s Position and Ukrainian Public Opinion
President Zelensky's position is strongly supported by the majority of Ukrainians, who believe that no negotiations should occur until Russian troops withdraw to the internationally recognized 1991 borders. This strategy prioritizes Ukrainian sovereignty and avoids any self-surrender agreements.
The only way for Russian forces to leave is for them to declare and act on a clear withdrawal from Ukraine. This is a simple but necessary step towards peace.