Russia to be involved in negotiations with Ukraine - Swiss Foreign Minister
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (photo: flickr.com/foreignoffice)
To end the war in Ukraine, Russia must be somehow involved in the negotiations, stated Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, according to Watson.
"We need to take a step to engage Russia in one way or another," he said.
According to the minister, there will be no peace without Russia, and the Ukrainian peace plan is the "foundation" for ending the conflict with Moscow.
However, according to Cassis, the international community must move forward, even if a dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow cannot take place yet, as long as the military situation prevents it.
"Every day, while we wait, dozens of civilians die. We have no right to wait. We must be ready when the conditions allow for peace talks," Cassis said.
Negotiations with Russia
In December, The New York Times reported, citing sources, that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was allegedly sending "signals" to the West that he wanted to freeze the war against Ukraine and begin negotiations.
The media said that according to two former high-ranking Russian officials close to the Kremlin, as well as American and international officials, Putin is proposing to freeze hostilities on the current lines. Putin also sent similar signals a year earlier, in the fall of 2022.
According to Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Moscow indeed wants the war to end as soon as possible, despite the statements of Russian propaganda. Ukraine wants the same, but on its own terms and in accordance with international law.
According to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin may use "signals" to the West about its alleged readiness to put the war against Ukraine "on hold" in an attempt to reduce defense aid from partner countries. Experts recalled that similar manipulations by Russian dictator Putin have already been used, in particular, on the topic of negotiations.
