Ukraine is considering an accelerated schedule of talks with Russia, allowing for the possibility of freezing the front line, The New York Times reports, citing sources in the Ukrainian leadership. The key issue in these talks will not be the territorial issue, but security guarantees after the end of the hot phase of the conflict.
According to the publication, the accelerated plan for negotiations is actively supported by Donald Trump. However, Kyiv notes that the protection of Ukraine's interests in possible negotiations will not depend on the final territorial borders, which are likely to be determined during hostilities. Security issues remain the most important, and Ukraine puts guarantees for a ceasefire in the first place.
“The protection of Ukraine’s interests in potential negotiations will depend not on the territorial borders, which are likely to be determined during hostilities, but on what guarantees there are for a ceasefire,” the article says.
Ukraine's main goal is NATO membership, although the Alliance is refusing it. The option of providing Ukraine with a powerful arsenal of conventional weapons from the West is also being considered.
The publication's interlocutors in Russia suggest that the freezing of the front line could happen in the spring if Russia can return the Kursk region by then. At the same time, other Russian sources note that the Kremlin is likely to demand even more serious territorial concessions from Ukraine.
