A 15-point peace plan has been proposed to the negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, with the sole aim of reaching a peace agreement after the 3-week occupation.
The Financial Times reports that the parties have made progress in talks based on the plan, which includes a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops if Kiev declares neutrality and accepts restrictions on its armed forces.
This was confirmed by the Russian Foreign Minister in a recent statement:
"Negotiations are not easy for reasons we all know now, but there is room for compromise. Ukraine's neutral status is being seriously discussed, along with other points. "This is what the parties are negotiating at the moment and in my view the parties are closer than ever to having an agreement."
On the other hand, Podolyak, senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said on the other hand that he would maintain his position regarding the requirements regarding the negotiations with Russia.
"The only thing we confirm at this stage is a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Russian troops and a guarantee of security from a number of countries," he added.
Ukrainian officials on the other hand remain skeptical about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is really committed to achieving peace, or whether Moscow is simply trying to buy time to regroup its forces and resume its attacks.
The proposed agreement, which the parties discussed for the first time Monday, includes the condition that Kiev give up its NATO membership ambitions and promise that there will be no foreign military bases or no weapons protection from USA, UK and Turkey.
Source: The Guardian
