In a press conference held yesterday in Odesa by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, President Zelensky reiterated that giving up territory to Russia is a red line for Ukraine and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was discussing matters outside his remit. The visit follows a Russian attack against civilians in Sumy which NATO has condemned.
The US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is saying that peace could be achieved if Ukraine gave up its lost territories to Russia which it officially recognises as Russian. Currently, Russia controls most of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhanks, Donetsk and Crimea. Ukraine demands its territories back for any lasting peace. Russia is conducting an ongoing ethnic cleansing campaign in the occupied territories of Ukraine to force Ukrainian citiziens to exchange their passports for Russian ones.
In an interview with the Ukrainian media Secretary-General Rutte said that Ukraine’s membership to NATO was “irreversible” but not part of the peace process with Russia. NATO’s Secretary-General changed his position on Ukraine’s membership following President Trump’s return to office. Ukrainian membership in NATO is being opposed by the US and is no longer a priority. Secretary-General Rutte’s remarks to the Ukrainian media are more appeasing toward Ukraine than his official statements
On the other hand, the Ukrainian President referred to ongoing discussions and plans for security guarantees by a coalition of the willing, aimed at ensuring a ceasefire on land, at sea, and in the air. This coalition includes France, the UK, and Turkey, all of which are willing to put boots on the ground.
On France and the UK, Rutte said that they will be involved in the peace process between the US and Russia at a later stage hinting at their dissociation from the US demands on Ukraine to give up territory to Russia.
Newsroom
Leave a Reply