In negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, the Kiev government wants to examine “in depth” the question of the country’s neutrality demanded by Russia. That’s what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday in an interview with several independent Russian media. The warring parties want to start a new round of negotiations in Istanbul today or tomorrow.
“Item being discussed”
“This point of the negotiations is understandable to me and it is being discussed, it is being closely scrutinized,” Zelenskiy said in the interview. Ukraine’s neutrality is one of the main Russian demands in the ceasefire negotiations. The Kremlin recently cited the model of Sweden or Austria as a possible model. With such a model of neutrality, Ukraine would have to refrain from joining NATO, which Zelenskiy has already promised.
So far, negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have mainly involved Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO membership, demilitarization and security guarantees.
Different information about the start of negotiations
“During today’s video conference, it was decided to hold the next round in person in Turkey from March 28-30,” said Ukrainian negotiator David Arachamia. Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinski confirmed the new round of talks, but spoke of tomorrow and Wednesday.
According to Turkish information, negotiations should take place in Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to this in a phone call, the Turkish presidency said. An exact date was not given.