Zelensky outlines indirect peace talk model inspired by grain deal
12:16 PM EDT, July 1, 2024
If peace talks were to begin between Kyiv and Moscow, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin would not be sitting at the table. The President of Ukraine revealed how he envisions potential negotiations with the invader. This model has already been used in other circumstances.
Volodymyr Zelensky discussed a possible negotiation scenario in an interview with the American newspaper "The Philadelphia Inquirer." He recalled how the agreement on the grain corridor was reached.
The talks then were conducted not directly between the interested parties but through intermediaries. The conditions for unblocking the transport of Ukrainian goods and clearing the route through the Black Sea were established, although a direct dialogue between Putin and Zelensky was not possible.
In the interview with "The Philadelphia Inquirer, " Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine can adopt a model for finding solutions, as demonstrated during the grain corridor negotiations. In that situation, Ukraine negotiated with the UN and Turkey instead of Russia. The UN and Turkey then negotiated with Russia to finalize the agreement.
Although Russia continuously broke and repudiated the agreement, it allowed Kyiv to establish a strong position on the Odesa route. Transport returned to its pre-war state.
Zelensky gave an interview to a US newspaper. He explained how peace negotiations could be conducted
Zelensky also mentioned that this way of dealing with Russia could be applied to territorial integrity, energy, and ship movement talks. The Ukrainian president still does not see any other method of dealing with Moscow.
He added that today, one Ukrainian citizen dies for every six Russians. Previously, this statistic was at a ratio of 1 to 4, but after clashes in the Kharkiv direction and around Pokrovske in the Donetsk region, Russian losses are greater.
Zelensky also mentioned that he believes the West should prevent Russians from circumventing sanctions to stop them from producing missiles and drones. At the same time, Europe and the USA could also support Ukraine in producing such weapons independently.
Zelensky identified gliding bombs as the primary issue, emphasizing the need for long-range solutions targeting enemy airfields. He suggested that if President Joe Biden permitted Kyiv to deploy American long-range missiles like ATACMS against Russian airfields, it could halt these attacks.
He specified what victory over the Russian aggressor would mean for him. He expects "preventing the complete destruction of everything Ukrainian" by Putin.
The President mentioned that Russia's policies and intentions towards Kyiv are evident in the occupied territories. Moscow eliminates the use of the Ukrainian language, combats the Ukrainian Church, and teaching of Ukrainian history. Children are taught that Ukraine was never a rightful state.
Source: "The Philadelphia Inquirer"
