The Russian Federation has reacted with outrage to recent calls for them to leave Ukraine. The Kremlin sent delegates to Homel in Belarus, a city that played an integral role in the invasion of Ukraine. In response, the Ukrainian government announced it was open to peace talks and that it would prefer to meet with Russia in Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest, or Baku. These suggestions were not immediately accepted by the Kremlin, which criticized the Ukrainians for ignoring the peace process.
Despite calls for negotiations, there is no sign of any immediate peace deal. The Elysee palace has confirmed that President Putin has agreed to keep in touch with Macron, a key element in a potential peace deal. On Feb. 12, 2015, representatives of Ukraine and Russia signed a new ceasefire agreement. The Russian president said the new agreement is a “historic step towards achieving a peaceful future in eastern Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian government has cut diplomatic ties with Moscow and declared martial law in the eastern region. Both sides have claimed to have destroyed military hardware and aircraft. The two sides also claim to have eliminated the weapons used in the conflict. In the past, the U.S. has violated the territorial integrity of Afghanistan and Iraq. So, are these events indicative of a future peace deal between Russia and Ukraine? The answer is no, but both sides have shown they are determined to reach a settlement.
On October 15, 2016, a Malaysia Airlines flight was shot down in Ukrainian airspace. The plane was shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile. After the crash, the Russian missile system was moved into eastern Ukraine. However, it was never deployed again. So, what is the current situation? The United States’ resolve to extend NATO’s influence over Ukraine has created an unpredictable situation that is unavoidable.
Although the two sides are far apart in their political and military strategy, the two nations are still in close communication. On Monday, the two delegations met at the same table with their flags flying. The Ukrainian delegation demanded an immediate cease-fire and the withdrawal of Russian troops. The Russian delegation, led by Putin’s adviser on culture, responded with an agreement. At the same time, the leaders of both countries held their first face-to-face talks. The meetings were widely anticipated, and both sides’ delegations attended the meeting.
On Wednesday, both sides denied targeting residential areas. Yet, it was clear that the Russian military had shelled hospitals and schools. Some people argued that the Russian government had not complied with the court’s order. While the USSR and Ukraine were forced to accept the sanctions, the Russians denied the claim. On the other hand, the two sides also had to accept their respective decisions. As a result, the war between the two countries continues to rage.
The Minsk II deal was signed with the Ukrainian government on February 12. The deal called for both parties to implement an OSCE-monitored cease-fire, pullback of heavy weapons, exchange of prisoners and an amnesty for civilians. It also required both sides to offer sweeping amnesty to separatists. It also obligated them to negotiate on holding local elections. But this agreement is still far from conclusive.
The Ukrainian government has asked for unconditional surrender of its forces, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the Ukrainian forces to overthrow the Zelenskyy government. The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said he does not recognize the current Ukrainian government as democratic. The crisis has caused more than 500,000 people to flee the country. A few of these civilians have taken up arms in Vinnytsya, the center of the country.
While this agreement is far from being final, it does represent a major step forward. The two sides are working to establish a new relationship that is mutually beneficial. Both sides are making efforts to resolve the conflict. The current negotiations have the potential to end the conflict, but it is too early to tell. At this stage, it is difficult to predict whether the negotiations will lead to peace. If the agreement is reached, it is not clear how quickly the two sides will be able to work together.