Line between ceasefire and frozen conflict is touchy - EU Ambassador to Ukraine
Photo: Katarína Mathernová (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The European Union understands the risks of temporary solutions in the Russian-Ukrainian war. There are no illusions about Vladimir Putin's intentions, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová says in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
The Ambassador notes that she can not give a full guarantee of continued large-scale EU assistance to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire or long-term truce.
"First of all, there are no 100% guarantees in anything in life, right? So if you ask me for a 100% guarantee, I'm afraid I cannot do that," she explains.
According to her, everyone understands the difference between a temporary ceasefire and a final settlement. "And you do not have an interest in having a protracted ceasefire. You know, the line when a ceasefire turns into a frozen conflict is a touchy one," the Ambassador says.
As Mathernová notes, if someone suddenly forgets about this line, "I'm sure that the Ukrainian leadership would remind everybody that a ceasefire is, by definition, a reprieve for the fighting sides."
"But I don't think that by now anybody has an illusion about the intentions of Vladimir Putin," she says.
Negotiations and possible ceasefire
According to the World Bank, discussions on a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine began at the beginning of the year, but the prospects for a long-term settlement remain uncertain.
According to a KIIS poll, Ukrainians' willingness to negotiate is not synonymous with a willingness to capitulate or make unacceptable concessions. The vast majority of Ukrainians (82%) categorically reject Russia's plan.
