US diplomacy has personally asked the Ukrainian government to leave open the possibility of negotiating a peace deal with Russia, in order to convince the allied countries that the war in the country will not last forever.
The news is brought forth by the Washington Post, which cites sources close to the negotiations.
These sources speak of a “calculated effort” on the part of the US to guarantee Kiev the support of governments whose voters are growing tired of the conflict and the economic consequences it entails.
“The fatigue over Ukraine is a reality for some of our partners,” a US official told the newspaper, speaking on condition of anonymity.
However, the US administration has also informed Kiev that none of the Russian offers to negotiate has any credibility, given the exaggerated demands, which practically amount to an unconditional surrender and implicit recognition of Russian sovereignty over the Ukrainian territories included in it. .
In fact, in late September, after the Russian annexations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that it was “impossible” to negotiate with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. “We will negotiate with the new president,” he said in a speech.
However, US officials consulted by the newspaper do not rule out Zelensky’s support for a reopening of the negotiations once winter arrives, when the low temperatures make fighting practically impossible and the window of diplomacy opens.
At the moment, and given the Ukrainian advance into Kherson and the possible attack on the port of Sevastopol last week, US officials are now asking whether Ukraine plans to launch offensives in the Crimean peninsula, a strategy that could end all expectations of a peace agreement , given the strategic importance this area, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, represents to the Kremlin.
“Some of the G7 countries that have called for a just and negotiated peace see a potential tipping point as Ukrainian forces approach Crimea,” the newspaper’s sources said.
Source: DN
