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Friday, Feb 21, 2025
Outside the box.
Ukraine Rejects Russian Ultimatums Amid Ongoing Conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly states that Ukraine will not concede to demands from Russia, occurring concurrently with high-level US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine has expressed deep discontent following recent high-level negotiations between the United States and Russia that took place in Saudi Arabia, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine would never accept ultimatums from Russia.
The talks commenced shortly after a significant drone assault by Russia on Ukrainian territory, resulting in at least two fatalities and 26 injuries due to strikes in various locations.
Among the incidents, a drone targeted the upper floors of a high-rise residential building in Dolynska, located within the Kirovohrad region, injuring a mother and her two children, who were promptly hospitalized.
Local authorities described the night as particularly challenging.
As the negotiations in Riyadh concluded, air raid sirens resonated through Kyiv, prompting emergency alerts to millions urging them to seek shelter due to the threat posed by Russian ballistic missiles.
Zelenskyy, speaking in Ankara following discussions with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, asserted that Ukraine would not endorse the outcomes of discussions regarding the war's resolution held without direct Ukrainian involvement.
He remarked, "It feels like the US is now discussing the ultimatum that Putin set at the start of the full-scale war," further questioning the rationale behind making decisions affecting Ukraine without its participation.
The president confirmed his intention to reclaim occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine through diplomatic channels, stating, "They will be Ukrainian.
There can be no compromise."
In related developments, Reuters reported that Zelenskyy opted to postpone a scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia initially planned for the following day to counter the perception of legitimacy to the US-Russia discussions.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelenskyy's office, criticized Russia’s claim to pursue peace while simultaneously conducting attacks, suggesting that the recent launch of 176 drones by Russia embodied their actual negotiating stance.
He insinuated that the US-Russia talks were inadequately organized and merely served as a platform for additional Russian ultimatums.
Concerns regarding a potential ceasefire have gained traction, particularly regarding the likelihood of Russia adhering to any renewal of talks without robust security guarantees from Western nations, including the US. Podolyak emphasized the futility of engaging in a “fake peace” that could lead to a renewed escalation of hostilities.
The disillusionment stems from past experiences; Ukrainians recall two agreements made in Minsk following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, both of which were observed to have been repeatedly violated by Russia.
A significant apprehension surrounding the negotiations is the potential for an immediate ceasefire deal that might necessitate elections in Ukraine prior to a comprehensive resolution of the conflict, which critics argue could facilitate the installation of a leadership more amenable to Russian interests.
Under current martial law provisions, Ukraine is not obligated to conduct elections.
Many citizens remain skeptical of the feasibility of such civic participation, especially with millions displaced and the military engaged in ongoing confrontations.
This sentiment is supported by various European embassies in Kyiv.
The White House has opted to exclude Ukrainian authorities and European nations from these preliminary discussions with Russia, marking the first direct contact since the escalation of hostilities began with Russia's invasion in 2022. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba conveyed to the BBC his skepticism regarding the prospect of an impending truce, stating, "Peace is not even visible on the horizon."
Kuleba noted that it would be strategically advantageous for Ukraine to resist American pressure for a swift resolution and instead seek prolonged engagement with the US. He also reiterated that Russia's ambitions go beyond territorial claims, positing that President Putin harbors intentions for total control over Ukraine.
The talks commenced shortly after a significant drone assault by Russia on Ukrainian territory, resulting in at least two fatalities and 26 injuries due to strikes in various locations.
Among the incidents, a drone targeted the upper floors of a high-rise residential building in Dolynska, located within the Kirovohrad region, injuring a mother and her two children, who were promptly hospitalized.
Local authorities described the night as particularly challenging.
As the negotiations in Riyadh concluded, air raid sirens resonated through Kyiv, prompting emergency alerts to millions urging them to seek shelter due to the threat posed by Russian ballistic missiles.
Zelenskyy, speaking in Ankara following discussions with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, asserted that Ukraine would not endorse the outcomes of discussions regarding the war's resolution held without direct Ukrainian involvement.
He remarked, "It feels like the US is now discussing the ultimatum that Putin set at the start of the full-scale war," further questioning the rationale behind making decisions affecting Ukraine without its participation.
The president confirmed his intention to reclaim occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine through diplomatic channels, stating, "They will be Ukrainian.
There can be no compromise."
In related developments, Reuters reported that Zelenskyy opted to postpone a scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia initially planned for the following day to counter the perception of legitimacy to the US-Russia discussions.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelenskyy's office, criticized Russia’s claim to pursue peace while simultaneously conducting attacks, suggesting that the recent launch of 176 drones by Russia embodied their actual negotiating stance.
He insinuated that the US-Russia talks were inadequately organized and merely served as a platform for additional Russian ultimatums.
Concerns regarding a potential ceasefire have gained traction, particularly regarding the likelihood of Russia adhering to any renewal of talks without robust security guarantees from Western nations, including the US. Podolyak emphasized the futility of engaging in a “fake peace” that could lead to a renewed escalation of hostilities.
The disillusionment stems from past experiences; Ukrainians recall two agreements made in Minsk following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, both of which were observed to have been repeatedly violated by Russia.
A significant apprehension surrounding the negotiations is the potential for an immediate ceasefire deal that might necessitate elections in Ukraine prior to a comprehensive resolution of the conflict, which critics argue could facilitate the installation of a leadership more amenable to Russian interests.
Under current martial law provisions, Ukraine is not obligated to conduct elections.
Many citizens remain skeptical of the feasibility of such civic participation, especially with millions displaced and the military engaged in ongoing confrontations.
This sentiment is supported by various European embassies in Kyiv.
The White House has opted to exclude Ukrainian authorities and European nations from these preliminary discussions with Russia, marking the first direct contact since the escalation of hostilities began with Russia's invasion in 2022. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba conveyed to the BBC his skepticism regarding the prospect of an impending truce, stating, "Peace is not even visible on the horizon."
Kuleba noted that it would be strategically advantageous for Ukraine to resist American pressure for a swift resolution and instead seek prolonged engagement with the US. He also reiterated that Russia's ambitions go beyond territorial claims, positing that President Putin harbors intentions for total control over Ukraine.
