Main points
- Former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not make concessions regarding Donbas and this point of the peace plan is ineffective, because Ukrainians will definitely not give up their lands to the Russians.
- Taylor emphasized that Americans, Europeans, and other countries must exert maximum pressure on Russia today so that Putin understands that he has no chance of success.
The long-awaited peace in the Russian-Ukrainian war will come when Ukraine is strong enough on its own and has the support of the EU and the US to prevent Russia from invading its territory again. Only such strength will guarantee long-term deterrence for the Kremlin.
This was emphasized by former United States Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor at the Channel 24 Kyiv Security Forum, emphasizing that so far there has been no such support within the negotiations and Putin is unlikely to agree to peace now.
Peace plan: Ukraine will not make concessions regarding Donbas
According to the former US ambassador to Ukraine, the Russian dictator is not looking for compromises. Putin needs the Ukrainian army to capitulate. However, as Taylor noted, it is obvious that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not agree to this, they will continue to defend their state and sovereignty and achieve success. According to William Taylor, the option of a peace plan when Ukrainian troops withdraw from Donbas will not lead to the signing of an agreement and the end of the war.
The Ukrainians will definitely not give up the territories in the western part of the Donetsk region that they continue to hold. This is 20% of Donetsk region. This territory is well fortified. Without it, it would be very difficult to defend,
– stated Taylor.
What will hasten the end of the war?
According to the former United States ambassador to Ukraine, it would be a mistake for the Americans to pressure the Ukrainians in this direction. He continued that if Washington should put pressure, it should only be on Putin.
The US, Europe and other countries, perhaps China, should put pressure on the Russians to stop the war. When this pressure becomes effective, Putin will understand and conclude that he is not capable of winning, then this war will end,
– Taylor is confident.
Note! Diplomat and former US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine Stephen Pifer also noted that Kyiv wants the war to end, but is not considering surrender for itself. In his opinion, there may be certain concessions from Ukraine to reach a peace agreement, but there are no signs that Russia may make them accordingly. According to Pifer, no progress has been made for peace through Washington's mediation. He explains this by the fact that Trump did not put pressure on Putin to really bring the Russian side to the negotiating table. Instead of tightening sanctions against Russia, he eased them.
What are the favorable and negative options for ending the war?
The optimistic scenario of the end of hostilities depends on the actions of Europe. Earlier, the diplomat, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Valeriy Chaly expressed his belief that Europeans should direct more forces and money into their defense capabilities and provide more assistance to the Ukrainian army. In addition, the introduction of powerful sanctions remains no less important. According to him, the recent 20th package of restrictions from the EU side cannot be considered decisive, because it does not cover Rosatom.
Chaly called the pessimistic option the one in which the US refuses to sell its weapons for Ukraine's needs, and Europe behaves weakly and uncertainly prepares for a possible conflict with the Kremlin. Then, according to him, the Russian dictator will take mobilization in Russia to a new level and will be able to occupy more Ukrainian lands. He also outlined an intermediate scenario in which events will develop as they do today. This, according to him, is the main option for the next few years.