In Ukraine, they are again talking about the need for immediate negotiations with Russia, which have already become the subject of discussion after the intensification of China's peacemaking initiatives and Turkey's new offer to act as a platform for a peace summit. Pope Francis joined the talks, who actually offered Ukraine to capitulate "until the situation worsens." What do such statements and diplomatic initiatives mean, and how should Ukraine and its allies react to them?
Mykola Melnyk, Senior Lieutenant, Knight of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi and former company commander of the 47th Brigade, is an expert of the Leviathan Analytical Group. He believes that such speeches on the topic of negotiations by China, Turkey and the Vatican are not accidental. "This shows that the Russians are revealing their cards through such intermediaries, trying to force Ukraine to go to negotiations," Melnyk believes. He adds that the Russians probably realize that military successes like those at Avdiivka have become impossible, and a strategy of continuing the war may be suicidal for Russia.
Melnyk believes that this can be positive news for Ukraine, as the country can concentrate on building defense structures and sit back on defense. "Such a war is beneficial to us in the long run," the expert believes. However, he notes that for successful defense, Ukraine needs to solve problems with personnel and weapons.
As for the reaction of Ukraine and its allies, Melnyk is sure that Ukraine will not negotiate on Russian terms, and that Russia will change its approaches in war and diplomacy. "We will see which of us will be more effective at the end of spring-beginning of summer this year," Melnyk states.
Ihor Reiterovych, the head of political and legal programs at the Ukrainian Center for Social Development, considers the intensification of talks about negotiations as a common phenomenon associated with both changes at the front and political events. He notes that Ukraine should continue to implement its peace plan and attract international support for it.
"We should be calm about such statements and proposals. They were, are and will be until the end of the war," Reiterovych emphasizes. "Ukraine's main task is to implement its peace plan and involve as many countries as possible in it, using international law."
