US mediation push: Russia-Ukraine peace talks spark debate
The United States has proposed measures to facilitate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, including outlining conditions for ending hostilities and easing sanctions on Moscow if a permanent ceasefire is reached, Bloomberg reports.
The United States has made another attempt at mediation, proposing conditions to allies that could lead to a peace agreement. The plan presented by the US suggests freezing the conflict, allowing territories occupied by Russia to remain under its control, and excluding Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO. These proposals were discussed during talks in Paris, which included representatives from the US, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.
The main focus of the American plan is on creating conditions for a long-term ceasefire, which would lead to the easing of economic sanctions on Russia. Additionally, if this initiative succeeds, there are plans to establish "guarantee forces" that would ensure Ukraine's security. These proposals, while representing another step towards ending the conflict, are controversial, particularly regarding maintaining Russian control over parts of Ukrainian territories, the report states.
Kyiv, although agreeing to the possibility of a ceasefire, firmly emphasises that no discussion on Ukrainian territories can take place before a final permanent ceasefire is reached. President Zelensky has repeatedly emphasised that Ukraine will not recognise Russian claims to territories that are integral parts of the Ukrainian state.
Bloomberg notes that the position of the Ukrainian president shows that Ukraine does not intend to make any concessions regarding its territorial integrity, and negotiations can only begin when Russia demonstrates a willingness to end the hostilities.
Will the US ease sanctions on Russia?
Despite concerns about potentially easing sanctions on Russia, the talks in Paris have been assessed by European officials as constructive. A key element of this initiative is to provide Ukraine with appropriate security guarantees that would form the foundation of the agreement.
In this context, a proposal has been made to create a "guarantee force" to support Ukraine post-conflict and ensure stability in the region. According to announcements, negotiations will continue, with further talks taking place in London next week.
Simultaneously, with the American initiative aimed at breaking the stalemate, there is opposition and concern from some European countries, which caution against making hasty decisions to ease sanctions too quickly.
Although the US clearly states its desire to end the conflict, some countries still worry that easing sanctions too swiftly could strengthen Russia's position, while Ukraine might not receive appropriate guarantees regarding its territories.
Despite these challenges, allies remain hopeful that the talks will contribute to resolving the conflict and that ending it will become a reality in the coming weeks.
The US Secretary of State, Rubio, made it clear that the continuation of talks depends on tangible progress. He also indicated that without concrete agreements, the United States might reconsider its priorities, potentially influencing how the situation unfolds.
