Zelensky offers a neutral Ukraine for Russian withdrawal, but there are some big caveats
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told a group of independent Russian journalists on Sunday that he is ready to discuss enshrining Ukraine as a neutral country, without NATO aspirations, as part of a peace deal with Russia, in return for ironclad security guarantees.
"Security guarantees and the neutral, non-nuclear status of our state. We are ready to accept this. This is the most important point," Zelensky said. "This was the first point of principle for the Russian Federation, as I recall. And as far as I remember, they started the war because of this." He rejected even discussing Russia's demands that Ukraine be "de-Nazified" or demilitarized," and said "the issues of Donbas and Crimea must be discussed and solved" in peace talks.
Zelenksy later told Ukrainians that in negotiations with Russia, "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine are beyond doubt."
"On the face of it," Zelensky's offer "sounds like something of a breakthrough," the BBC's Jonah Fisher writes from Lviv. "But there are a number of important caveats." Zelensky made clear Western countries would have to guarantee Ukraine's safety, the neutrality would have to be put to a public referendum, and Russia would have to withdraw to its position before the invasion.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/zelensky-offers-a-neutral-ukraine-for-russian-withdrawal-but-there-are-some-big-caveats/ar-AAVA8eE
Sadly Pooty Poop's word ain't worth much.
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