Main points
- Kirill Budanov stated that Russia is ready to accept American security guarantees for Ukraine.
- Previously, the US said that it would not send its troops to Ukraine.
Budanov says Moscow has agreed to security guarantees for Ukraine from the US / Photo: Office of the President
Kirill Budanov announced significant progress in peace talks with Russia. The Kremlin agreed to accept American security guarantees for Ukraine.
The Russian delegation admitted during the past negotiations that Moscow will be forced to accept American security guarantees for Kyiv. This was stated by the head of the Presidential Office, Kirill Budanov, in an exclusive interview with “We are Ukraine”.
Does Russia agree with US security guarantees for Ukraine?
At the previous negotiations, the Russian side, for example, directly said that they would accept the security guarantees that the United States offered to Ukraine. The guarantees that the United States offered, they directly said that yes, well, we will be forced, we are ready to accept them. For Ukraine, these are our guarantees, and they will have to respect them,
– said Budanov.
It is worth noting that the US has repeatedly stated that it will not send its troops to Ukraine. At the same time, it calls its participation in security guarantees for Ukraine “key.”
By the way, Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously said that American security guarantees are designed for 15 years. However, according to the president, Ukraine needs guarantees for a longer period.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that Ukraine has received information from the United States about its readiness to ratify security guarantees in Congress. These are legally binding guarantees, not assurances, which is happening for the first time in Ukraine's history.
In early February, the Financial Times reported that Ukraine, together with the United States and European partners, had agreed on a plan to respond to possible violations by Russia of the future peace agreement.
In case of violations, there will first be a diplomatic warning and actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to stop the violations.
If Russia continues the shelling, forces from several European countries will be called in. In the event of a large-scale offensive, a coordinated military response involving the United States will begin within 72 hours.
What is known about the progress of peace negotiations between the US, Ukraine and Russia?
- Bloomberg writes that Russia may withdraw from the trilateral peace talks if Ukraine does not agree to cede territory. The next talks, scheduled for early March, could be crucial for concluding a peace agreement.
- At the same time, Volodymyr Zelensky categorically rejected the idea of surrendering Donbas in exchange for peace. According to him, then about 200 thousand local residents would find themselves under Russian occupation.
- According to ISW, the Kremlin is not ready for real peace and may be preparing for a protracted war. Russia insists on recognizing the annexed territories and Ukraine's rejection of NATO, and uses negotiations to improve its positions on the front and postpone decisions that are disadvantageous to it.