Former minister names three topics Putin is ready to discuss
Russia never negotiates over what it considers its legal property.
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Russian president Vladimir Putin / Photo: TSN.ua
Russia is ready to negotiate only on three topics: legal recognition of territorial annexations, Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO membership, and frozen assets and sanctions. This opinion was expressed by former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, in the project “Removska Interview.”
According to Kuleba, there are no negotiations with Russia at present. While general constructive signals give the impression that something is happening, problems arise as soon as there is a need to agree on something concrete.
The former minister emphasizes that Russia never negotiates over what it considers its legal property.
“This is why there were never any negotiations about Crimea. The only reason the Minsk negotiations were possible was that Russia recognized the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" as part of Ukraine. They tried to force them on us under their own terms. That was the essence of the Minsk process,” Kuleba explained.
In his view, Russia is ready to discuss three topics.
"There are three topics, from Russia's point of view, that are the subject of negotiations.
First - legal recognition of their territorial annexations.
Second - Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO membership.
Third - financial issues, including frozen assets and the most painful sanctions," the former Foreign Minister said.
He answered the question whether he believes that negotiations are impossible in the near future.
“Now everyone in the United States and Europe is happy to talk about NATO because they see it as the only topic where concessions can be made to Putin. For them, it’s easy to say: "This is what you wanted? Fine, now it’s your move." But he doesn’t take his move because he believes he’s in a strong position,” Kuleba noted.
He adds that the West is showing weakness by initiating discussions about theoretically blocking Ukraine’s NATO membership. This only strengthens Russian president Vladimir Putin’s belief that his strategy is correct.
“Putin understands his ultimate goals: the destruction of Ukraine and the demonstration of the West’s helplessness. And he’s moving toward them. Meanwhile, the West doesn’t have such goals. Their objective is not for Ukraine to win but merely for Ukraine to survive and for Russia not to win. This is a little different. They do not even have goals for themselves," the former minister said.
He concludes that until the West understands the necessity of Ukraine’s victory and Russia’s defeat, and its own capacity to defend itself and its allies, tragic news from the front will continue to emerge.
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