A Russian official said Moscow was ready to negotiate on the situation in Ukraine, while the commander of Ukraine’s marines called on Russian troops to surrender.
“I want to say to the Russian army privately: before it’s too late, run away or surrender… that’s your happy future. You’re not like us, we know what we’re fighting for, we are united, we are one,” Lieutenant General Yurii Sodol, commander of the Ukrainian marines, announced on February 1.
According to Sodol, the goal of the Ukrainian defense forces is to liberate all the territories of the country.
“We will do everything possible to make the yellow-green flag (the Ukrainian flag) fly again over all the cities of Donbas and Crimea,” Sodol stressed.
The Ukrainian commander also said that Russia is gathering forces and hoarding. “This means that soon thousands of new Russian troops will be mobilized,” Sodol added.
“For their part, the Ukrainian marines will continue to do what they do best: destroy the enemy methodically, systematically, with a daily frequency,” Sodol said.
On the same day, the President of the Federation Council (Senate) of Russia Valentina Matviyenko told reporters that Russia is ready to negotiate on the situation in Ukraine if the Kiev authorities also show real goodwill towards the negotiations.
“Our position is clear, understandable, and transparent. We are ready to negotiate, without promises, without preconditions like they (Ukraine) are trying to offer. Negotiation is negotiation. However, whether the Kiev authorities are ready for real negotiations, we have not seen that” Matviyenko said.
According to the Russian official, the increased US supply of weapons, including offensive weapons, to Ukraine can hardly be seen as a call for peace. Ms. Matviyenko accused the US of not being interested in ending this conflict, instead only interested in escalating and prolonging the conflict.
“They continue to harbor the illusion that they will slow down Russia’s development and are doing everything for it. They are doing their best to ensure that Europe is completely dependent on American energy sources, and depend on their military-industrial complex,” emphasized Ms. Matviyenko.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on January 30 that there was no indication that Russia was preparing for peace talks with Ukraine. According to him, the only way to force Russia to the negotiating table is to continue arming Ukraine. He warned Russia will not negotiate if Moscow believes it can win on the battlefield.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is ready to negotiate, but on condition that Kiev must accept “a new territorial reality”. This means that Ukraine must recognize the annexation of the four breakaway regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia into Russia.
The President of Ukraine last November announced a 10-point peace formula at the G20 summit, which required Russia to withdraw its troops and stop hostilities in Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has taken a new turn, with Ukraine calling for surrender and Russia setting conditions for negotiations. The situation is complex and volatile, with both sides digging in their heels and refusing to back down.
As a result, it’s important to take a closer look at the key players and the underlying issues that are driving the conflict. This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of the situation, including a breakdown of the key players, an examination of the underlying causes of the conflict, and a look at the potential solutions that could bring an end to the hostilities.
Key Players
The key players in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia are, of course, the two countries themselves. However, there are several other important players that are playing a significant role in the conflict, including the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a former Soviet republic that gained independence in 1991. Today, the country is a parliamentary republic with a population of over 42 million people. It is a member of the European Union and NATO, and has a long history of conflict with Russia.
In 2014, the country was plunged into chaos when a popular uprising led to the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. This sparked a conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with Russia annexing Crimea and supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.
Russia
Russia is a large and powerful country, with a population of over 144 million people. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, and has a long history of conflict with Ukraine.
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, leading to a conflict that continues to this day. Russia has been accused of supplying the rebels with weapons and manpower, and has been criticized by the international community for its actions.
European Union
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states, with a population of over 500 million people. It is a major player in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with many EU countries providing support to Ukraine and calling for an end to the hostilities.
The EU has imposed economic sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine, and has provided financial and political support to the Ukrainian government.
NATO
NATO is a military alliance of 30 North American and European countries, with a population of over 800 million people. It is a key player in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with NATO countries providing support to Ukraine and calling for an end to the hostilities.
NATO has been providing military support to Ukraine, including training and equipment, and has been monitoring the situation closely.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization with 193 member states, with a population of over 7 billion people. It is a key player in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with the UN working to broker a peace deal and bring an end to the hostilities.
The UN has been working to negotiate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, and has been monitoring the situation closely.
Underlying Causes of Conflict
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is driven by a complex set of factors, including historical tensions, geopolitical interests, and economic considerations.
Historical Tensions
The relationship between Ukraine and Russia has been fraught with tensions for centuries, with both countries having a long history of conflict and competition. This historical tension has played a major role in the current conflict, with both countries deeply entrenched in their positions and unwilling to back down.
