Ermak named the starting point for the start of negotiations with the Russian Federation
Kyiv • UNN
The head of the OP stated that negotiations are possible when returning to the situation on February 23, 2022. Russia has sent 11,000 North Korean troops to the border and continues to escalate the conflict.
The head of the OP, Andrei Ermak, said that fruitful negotiations with Russia are possible only when all the warring parties have a desire to stop hostilities. In addition, the situation must be returned at least to the state of February 23, 2022. He said this in an article for Dagens Industri, reports UNN.
Yermak said that the implementation of the first three points of Zelensky's victory plan, namely: inviting Ukraine to join NATO, increasing military support without restrictions on the use of weapons, and a non-nuclear deterrence package, would put Ukraine in an advantageous negotiating position when participating in negotiations with Russia.
According to him, sending an invitation to Ukraine will not create any obligations for NATO allies under Article 5. However, it will encourage Russia to turn to diplomacy and undermine Putin's intention to continue the war.
"On the other hand, various proposed peace initiatives that entail a ceasefire without any ironclad security guarantees for Ukraine may prompt Russia to launch another full-scale invasion in the near future. Fruitful negotiations are possible only when all the warring parties have the desire to cease hostilities. In addition, the situation must be returned at least to the state of February 23, 2022. This would be the starting point for further settlement, since before that date part of Ukraine was occupied," Yermak said.
But Ermak notes that Russia shows no signs of such readiness, continuing the escalation.
"Putin has sent 11,000 North Korean troops to the border with Ukraine with the possibility of increasing this number to 100,000. Russia's launch last week of a medium-range hypersonic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons along the Dnieper, combined with Putin's threats of further strikes, once again demonstrates that Moscow is not interested in peace. Every Russian strike and nuclear threat must be met with unwavering determination. The strengthening of the sanctions regime, combined with the strengthening of Ukraine's military and civilian capabilities, especially our air defense, should follow immediately," Yermak said.
According to him, Ukraine's support in the face of these challenges must be steadfast, durable and long-term.
