Russia's peace demands stoke fears of Ukrainian capitulation
"Everything that Russia offers us does not concern peace, but Ukraine's capitulation." This is how Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the President of Ukraine's office, commented on the "peace initiatives" proposed by Vladimir Putin. So, is the war in Ukraine nearing its end?
The war in Ukraine has continued for two and a half years. Initially expected to be a blitzkrieg, it has transformed into a war of attrition. Despite their different strengths, both countries are approaching an inevitable point, announcing a general mobilisation increasingly realistic for Russia.
However, Vladimir Putin is refraining from this. Following the last suggestion of such a move, millions of men left Russia. However, the Kremlin leader must devise something, as it is no secret that the ongoing war is not working in his favour, and over half of Russians desire peace talks.
In recent days, he has increasingly begun to broach the topic of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. However, for these to happen, Russians must receive a guarantee that Ukraine will withdraw from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions. For obvious reasons, this is met with opposition from Ukrainians.
Russia wants Ukraine's capitulation in peace talks
As soon as Kyiv says it is ready for this, begins to actually withdraw its troops, and formally abandons plans to join NATO, we will immediately cease fire and begin negotiations — Vladimir Putin said in a conversation with Russian officials.
The pressure on Ukraine is immense, as similar concessions could be sought after a potential victory by Donald Trump. Even during the presidential debate, the American announced that he would end this war. According to Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the President of Ukraine's office, this is offering Ukraine its capitulation.
Everything that Russia offers us does not concern peace, but Ukraine's capitulation. The "Peace Formula" captures the concept of a just world, which is based on the return of international law as such. [...] Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stressed this: any country can make any proposal, but any proposal not based on international law is merely a way to freeze the war on Ukraine's unfavourable terms, with the possibility of unfreezing it later — he said in an interview with Meduza.
