Focus Kherson. What will happen to the territory occupied by Russia? The West sees great opportunities for negotiation. Ukraine sticks to its principles. There is disagreement. Meanwhile, Russia stopped the organized evacuation of the population on Monday. “We have blocked the road from the left to the right bank,” Kirill Stremouzov (45), the representative of the Russian occupation administration of the Kherson region, wrote on Telegram.
“Most residents who have not left Kherson are only now beginning to see the gravity of the situation and my warnings.” As of now, they are on their own as Ukrainian pressure mounts.
Talks between the EU and NATO
The United States is sure that retaking the strategically important area would open up entirely new opportunities for Ukraine. Washington calls for renewed negotiations, La Repubblica wrote Monday.
According to the report, talks are underway between the EU and NATO. Brussels and Washington discuss a possible dialogue with Russia after the liberation of Kherson. Accordingly, a “short-term negotiating window with Russia” would be opened if the Ukrainians recapture the strategically important city.
“Changing the Direction of the Conflict”
The Italian newspaper emphasizes that Putin’s complete defeat would currently have worse consequences for the United States than an agreement at the negotiating table. In the event of a military failure, control of the vast territory would pass to China. “Therefore, it is better to have an enemy leader, defeated but independent from Beijing,” writes the Italian newspaper. In addition, the United States wants to minimize the chance of launching a Russian nuclear weapon.
The West plays out such scenarios over and over again. But: this time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (44) was able to argue from a strong position. Because Kherson is a strategically important city. “Giving them back would change the direction of the conflict forever,” writes La Repubblica.
The United States had previously demanded that Ukraine be willing to negotiate. As The Washington Post reports, anonymous sources familiar with the talks report that the Biden administration is privately encouraging Ukrainian leaders to express its willingness to negotiate with Russia. In addition, Kiev must end its public refusal to participate in peace talks unless Putin is removed from power. Because “Ukraine fatigue” is “a real problem,” as one US official told the paper.
Zelensky adviser does not want to negotiate with Putin
The negotiating words from the West found little support with those responsible in Ukraine. Do you feel cornered? Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak (50) has been talking about almost nothing else on Twitter for days. On Tuesday morning he muttered: “A question for the ‘peacekeepers’: what do you mean by the word ‘negotiations’? The Russian ultimatums are well known: “We came with tanks, admit defeat and loss of territory.” This is unacceptable. So what should you talk about? Or are you just hiding the word ‘surrender’ behind the word ‘unification’?”
A few hours later, he tweeted: “Honest diplomatic dictionary: ‘ceasefire’ – cessation of the Ukrainian counter-offensive to give Russia time to recover resources. ‹Negotiations› – Recognition of Kremlin ultimatums. ‹Diplomatic settlement› – pacification of the aggressors, loss of territory. Maybe it’s time to stop this pun?”
For Ukraine, one thing is clear: before the negotiations can take place, Kremlin head Vladimir Putin (70) must leave. “Russia must first withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Is Putin ready for this? Obviously not. That is why it is clear to us: we are going to talk to the next head of state,” writes Podoljak. (nab)