Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would not sign a peace agreement with Russia, in the context of the conflict that has not yet subsided.
“With today’s missile attack, Russia has reiterated the signing of the Budapest Memorandum of Understanding. The fate of this document provides answers to many questions about Russia. The signing of some kind of agreement with Russia will not bring peace,” Zelensky said in his speech on the evening of December 5.
The Budapest Memorandum is an agreement signed in 1994 between Ukraine, Russia, Britain, and the United States, in which Kiev agreed to give up its nuclear arsenal from the Soviet era. In return, the signatories pledged to “respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and existing borders”.
“If they sign an agreement with them, they will break it. Concessioning any security issue to Russia means a new war. Only liberating our entire territory and taking them out. only before justice can bring peace,” Zelensky stressed.
In February, President Zelensky warned Ukraine could abandon a commitment made for nearly 30 years and reverse its decision to give up nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union. According to Zelensky, in 1994, Ukraine joined the Budapest Memorandum of Understanding and gave up nuclear weapons in return for security guarantees, but now Ukraine is both unarmed and unsafe. security.
President Zelensky said at least four people were killed in a Russian missile strike on December 5. He said that Ukraine intercepted most of the more than 70 missiles launched by Russia into its territory.
The Russian raid was conducted after the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the Soviet era to attack two strategic air bases. Russia confirmed that its air defense forces shot down the Ukrainian UAVs. The attack left three technicians dead and four servicemen injured. Russia called this a “terrorist act” and launched a series of rockets in response to Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov today announced that Russia will achieve the goals of the special military operation in Ukraine.
“The result of what is happening must be a just and lasting peace. We can agree to this,” Peskov said.
“However, in terms of prospects for any negotiations, we do not see any prospects at the moment,” Peskov said, adding that Moscow has stated this several times.
Asked what conditions were needed to achieve the prospect of negotiations, the Kremlin spokesman said: “The objectives of the special military operation must be achieved.”
Russia has repeatedly stated that it will only end the military campaign when Kiev meets the conditions set by Moscow, including a commitment to permanent neutrality, recognition of Russia’s Crimea peninsula, and recognition of independence for the Donbas region – home to two regions. separatist territories of Donetsk and Lugansk.
Late last month, a Kremlin spokesman said that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine can only begin if Kiev shows the political will to discuss Moscow’s demands. The Kremlin said that Ukraine’s refusal to negotiate forced Russia to carry out large-scale raids against its vital infrastructure.
