Russia's demands escalate: Ukrainian peace deal under threat
Russia sets peace terms, demanding Ukraine cede five regions. General Roman Polko warns in a conversation with "Fakt" that meeting these demands would only encourage Putin to take further actions.
The Russian authorities have outlined the conditions for a possible peace agreement with Ukraine. The head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, declared that "if Ukraine wants to make a peace deal, it should relinquish the regions annexed by Russia - Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia."
He added that the conditions also include "recognition of sovereignty" and "current territorial borders" of Russia.
General Roman Polko, former commander of Polish GROM, firmly criticized these demands in a conversation with "Fakt".
No leader can give up territory while their troops are fighting. They would lose soldiers on the front and go down in history in disgrace. Society would never forgive them for it. Let's also remember that Ukraine is not losing this war militarily—emphasizes the general.
Polko notes that "Russia is currently playing with the West, and the United States allows this and draws Putin out of isolation". He also referred to the words of former US president Donald Trump, who stated that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is "hindering peace".
It's frightening when Trump says that Zelensky is hindering peace. In what way, I ask? A terrorist terrorizes people, murders them, and here Ukrainians are hindering the terrorist from making peace? Absurd!—comments the former GROM commander.
The general warns that giving Russia the occupied territories will not bring peace. He also stresses that "we know perfectly well that without Ukraine, Putin will not go further. If he gains control over it and its resources, he will use it against other countries like Moldova, Lithuania, or Estonia".
Zelensky makes an appeal from London. Calls on Putin
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a ceasefire with Russia. He conveyed his position on Wednesday via the Telegram messenger at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
Ukraine insists on an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire with Russia. [...] Ukraine has repeatedly said that it does not rule out any format of talks which could lead to a ceasefire—Zelensky reminded.
The administration of US president Donald Trump had considered recognizing Crimea as Russian territory as part of a future agreement aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. This information was reported by the American portal Semafor, citing sources familiar with the matter. Such a stance by Washington would be a significant concession to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has long regarded Crimea as part of Russia.
