MOSCOW, August 7, Viktor Zhdanov. Ukraine aims to prepare the groundwork for ending hostilities by the end of the year. And at the same time, it is pushing the West for even greater military support and escalation. But they are not enthusiastic about this. Does the Kyiv regime need peace? Read the article .
Desires and PossibilitiesThe conflict must be resolved «fairly and as quickly as possible,» Zelensky says. He is no longer against discussing the territorial issue, although he calls it «very complex.» In his opinion, a referendum will be needed here.
A group of people with a flag on Independence Square in Kyiv
Earlier, the mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko came forward with a similar initiative. In general, the ruling elite no longer has the same determination to reach the 1991 borders.
And only the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, considers it possible to restore the «internationally recognized borders» by force. Even the seizure of Crimea seems realistic to him. Just give us more soldiers.
Zelensky assures that the pace of mobilization has increased and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are regularly replenished. The problem is different — there is nothing to arm the troops with. According to him, 14 brigades have been formed, but only three of them are combat-ready.
Abroad will not helpUS Special Representative for Economic Recovery of Ukraine Penny Pritzker admitted that Washington is having difficulty allocating funds for Kiev. They are inventing various options other than direct budget ones. And this is becoming increasingly difficult. The official advised Ukrainian wards to make more active use of self-financing.
Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in Kyiv
German media believe that Zelensky has the impression that the West is unwilling to increase and accelerate arms supplies, despite Kiev's demands. And the situation on the battlefield is not in favor of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
So far, Zelensky's «peace» initiatives remain just words. In fact, he is escalating the conflict. In particular, he insists that the West shoot down Russian missiles. But they still fear «excessive escalation.»
In Kyiv, they are afraid that Russia and the United States will decide everything without taking into account the interests of Zelensky and his team. The recent prisoner exchange allegedly confirms this possibility. However, the Kremlin does not think so. And by the way, the US President's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan does not either.
Graves of the fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kharkov
Now, about half of Ukrainians agree to formal negotiations with Russia. Almost a third of them are ready to give up some territory to end the fighting. That's three times more than a year ago. «So many people have died, and for what?» Nadezhda Ivaschenko, 28, told an American journalist. «I want it to end, at least somehow, because I have a son growing up.»In Search of a Fall GuySome Ukrainian media outlets state that the preconditions for ending the conflict have already emerged. But this does not mean that peace is near. Negotiations, if they begin, will be long. And Kiev has not responded to the conditions announced by Vladimir Putin in June.
Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry
There have been no more people willing to make serious decisions on the part of Ukraine. According to Ukrainian political scientist Nikolai Davydyuk, a personnel selection is currently underway in Kiev: «Whoever signs will be the one to blame.» The Chairman of the Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, who theoretically could do this, like many others, is afraid of the consequences.
«Because no one wants to take this pen. And Stefanchuk also signaled at all levels to both Western partners and Zelensky: yes, I am not the smartest person in the room, but I will not sign this thing,» Davydyuk notes.
But, as the authors of the article in The National Interest point out, it is better for both Ukraine and the West to strive for an unpleasant but achievable settlement than to suffer the shame of a military defeat, ignoring the reality that it will not be possible to defeat Russia.
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk
«Both Zelensky and the West need to talk about peace. Moreover, Zelensky to a lesser extent. On the one hand, he needs to respond to the changing public mood in Ukraine. On the other hand, he understands that if hostilities cease and the goals of the CIS are achieved, he will simply have to disappear from politics,» explained Alexey Zudin, senior lecturer at MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In Western countries, what is happening in Ukraine is perceived as a burden. They continue to arm the Kiev regime, but increasingly understand that a military solution to the problem is impossible. The goal of weakening Russia and forcing it to retreat has proven unachievable, and the allies are looking for some way out. To drag out the conflict for years or to agree to Moscow's proposals — both options are not yet acceptable to Kyiv and the West.