President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine suggested that ending attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure by Russia could be a significant step towards de-escalating the ongoing war. Zelensky’s statement came amidst concerns in Ukraine about potential blackouts during the impending winter due to previous Russian attacks on energy facilities. He emphasized that progress in areas like energy security and freedom of navigation could signal Russia’s readiness to end the conflict. Despite this, Zelensky dismissed the idea of a land-for-peace deal involving Ukraine exchanging territories for NATO membership. This indicates Ukraine’s commitment to maintaining its territorial sovereignty.
In a related development, Zelensky’s aide, Andriy Yermak, indicated Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate under the condition of respecting its territorial integrity. The situation underscores the importance of upcoming peace talks, with Ukraine striving for international support to end the war. However, tensions persist as Russia, through its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, declined to participate in the upcoming peace summit due to conditions deemed unacceptable by the Kremlin. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in determining the future of the conflict.
Source link