700 days, this is the time that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has been going on. During this time, countless artillery fire, flesh and tears, witnessed the brutal confrontation between the two neighboring countries. This war has not only caused tens of thousands of people and huge economic losses, but also aroused widespread concern and concern in the international community. How deep are the contradictions and differences between Russia and Ukraine, and how difficult are they to resolve?Can the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine achieve substantial progress and results?
The roots of the Russia-Ukraine conflict can be traced back to the political crisis in Ukraine in 2014. At that time, the pro-EU opposition launched a ** campaign called "European integration" to overthrow the pro-Russian ** Yanukovych, which led to a sharp deterioration in Russian-Ukrainian relations.
Russia then sent troops to Crimea, where a referendum was held to declare Crimea's annexation to Russia. Ukraine and Western countries do not recognize this result, arguing that Russia violates Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In addition, in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, a pro-Russian ** movement has also broken out, and a protracted armed conflict has been launched with the Ukrainian ** army.
Russia is accused of covertly supporting civilian forces in the Donbass, supplying them with ** and personnel. Ukraine and Western countries have imposed a series of sanctions on Russia, and Russia has also taken countermeasures, causing economic and diplomatic relations between the two sides to fall into a trough.
Although there have been many peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, no substantive breakthrough has been made. In November 2021, Russia suddenly amassed a large number of troops on the Ukrainian border, triggering a strong reaction and vigilance from Ukraine and Western countries. Russia claims that this is in response to the potential threat from Ukraine, as well as NATO's military activities in Eastern Europe.
Russia has also put forward a series of security demands, including Ukraine's abandonment of plans to join NATO, as well as ensuring Russia's security in the Black and Baltic Seas. Ukraine and Western countries have rejected Russia's demands as interference in Ukraine's sovereignty and choice, as well as a challenge to the European security order. The two sides engaged in a tense confrontation and game on a diplomatic and military front, triggering a new Cold War.
In January 2022, Russia officially launched a military operation against Ukraine, capturing part of Ukraine's territory, including the Donbas region, Kherson Oblast, Mariupol city, etc., in the name of "protecting Russians and Russian-speaking people".
Russia also carried out missile and air strikes on major cities in Ukraine, such as Kyiv, Chernihiv, Lviv, etc., causing a large number of human and property losses. The Ukrainian ** army, with the support of Western countries, put up stubborn resistance, but was at a disadvantage in the face of Russia's superior firepower and equipment.
The two sides have been locked in stalemate and attrition on the battlefield, and have also engaged in many rounds of contacts and consultations in diplomacy and negotiations, but no substantive agreement or ceasefire has been reached. As of March 2023, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused nearly 100,000 deaths, more than 2 million displacements, and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses.
In March 2023, there were some new changes and twists in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Under the mediation of Turkey, Russia and Ukraine have started a series of face-to-face secret talks. This is the first direct dialogue between the two sides since the outbreak of the conflict, and it is also a major diplomatic breakthrough between the two sides.
According to reports, the delegations of Russia and Ukraine, led by Russian Assistant Medinsky and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba, held the first round of negotiations in Istanbul on March 29, accompanied by Erdogan, Turkey. The negotiations lasted three hours, during which the parties had a frank and constructive exchange of views on the current situation and possible solutions.
It is reported that both sides have shown a certain degree of flexibility and compromise in the negotiations, and have also reached some preliminary consensus and agreements. For example, the two sides agreed to convene a second round of negotiations as soon as possible in order to further advance the process of peace and dialogue.
The two sides also agreed to establish humanitarian corridors on the battlefield to allow for the safe evacuation of civilians and foreigners, and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The two sides also communicated and exchanged to a certain extent on EU and NATO issues in Ukraine, as well as Russia's security concerns, but no concrete agreement was reached.
Although the secret talks between Russia and Ukraine have achieved some positive signals and results, they still face many difficulties and challenges. The two sides still have fundamental differences and antagonism on some key issues. For example, Ukraine insists that Russia completely withdraw from the Ukrainian territories it occupies, including Crimea and the Donbas region, and restore Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Ukraine also asks Russia to recognize its EU and NATO preferences and choices, as well as its cooperation and partnerships with Western countries. Russia, for its part, demanded that Ukraine abandon its plans to join NATO, maintain a neutral and non-nuclear status, and respect Russia's security interests in the Black and Baltic Seas.
Russia also demanded that Ukraine recognize the annexation of Crimea, as well as the autonomy and special status of the Donbas region. These issues involve the national interests and security of both sides, and it is not easy to reach a compromise and consensus.
In addition, the secret talks between Russia and Ukraine have also been influenced and interfered by the international community. Western countries, especially the United States, have exerted strong pressure and sanctions on Russia, demanding that Russia stop its military operations, withdraw from Ukrainian territory, and restore Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Western countries have also provided military and economic aid and support to Ukraine to boost its ability and confidence to resist Russia.
The secret talks between Russia and Ukraine are an important event that concerns two neighboring countries, a region, and even the whole world, and it touches the hearts of countless people. Let us pray and hope together that the Russian-Ukrainian secret talks can achieve early results, that there will be an early reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine, and that the Russian and Ukrainian people will be able to regain peace at an early date.