Ukraine** Zelensky issued a tough statement on November 25, saying that Ukraine would not participate in any peace talks to cede Crimea to Russia. He said that Ukraine must recover all its land, and if diplomacy does not work, it can only solve the problem with war. He also stressed that any lobbyist who tries to persuade him to abandon the Crimea is a waste of time. This statement shows Ukraine's firm position, and also reflects the pressure and confidence that Ukraine is facing.
1. Who's mediating?
Zelensky's statement appears to be a suggestion from a number of Western countries that are trying to promote dialogue between Russia and Ukraine and end the long-standing conflict. But are the conditions for the return of Crimea to Russia included in the proposals of these countries?There have been several peace proposals for the non-return of Crimea to Ukraine that have been circulating on the Internet, and they are:
It is said that the plan proposed by Italy in May mainly includes: an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine, Ukraine's accession to the European Union and its neutrality, permanent independence of Ukraine and the Crimean Peninsula, and an end to economic sanctions against Russia.
The main content of the plan proposed by Musk in early October is: re-voting in the four places in eastern Ukraine, if you choose to stay in Ukraine, the Russian army leaves, Crimea will be returned to Russia, Ukraine will guarantee the safety of Crimea's fresh water, and Ukraine will become a neutral country and a buffer country between Russia and NATO.
Allegedly, it was the Republican Party of the United States that put forward a proposal, the main thing of which was: Crimea to Russia, but demilitarized.
None of these proposals have been endorsed by Ukraine and have not been unanimously supported by Western countries. However, they also reflect a tendency to see the status of Crimea in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict as a difficult issue and a possible point of compromise.
And on November 20, Agence France-Presse reported that Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine's ** office, said that the West's attempt to persuade Ukraine to talk to Moscow after a series of military victories was "strange" and amounted to asking Ukraine to surrender. He said that when you have the initiative on the battlefield, it's strange to hear the suggestion that you can't do all this militarily, that you need to negotiate.
The report hinted at possible mediation in the West, and that the question of Crimea's ownership could be involved. However, it is not yet known who these people are and what their specific recommendations are.