The head of intelligence of Germany, Bruno Kahl, believes that Moscow is not going to negotiate on Ukraine yet, as it is trying to “realize as many advantages as possible” on the battlefield. According to him, in the event of a successful course of hostilities for Russia, President Vladimir Putin can offer peace talks.
“At the moment, he (Vladimir Putin. — Kommersant) is concerned about deciding everything on the battlefield and realizing as many advantages as possible there, and then, perhaps, at some point, dictating the world on his own terms,”— said Mr. Kahl, his words are quoted by Spiegel. The head of German intelligence also noted that the course of the conflict was not what Russia, Ukraine and the West had expected.
Negotiations to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ceased in May last year after Ukraine withdrew from them. Later, Ukraine legally issued a refusal to negotiate with Russia while Vladimir Putin is its president. In November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a plan for a peaceful settlement, which involves the return of territories to Ukraine within the 1991 internationally recognized borders. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said that Russia is ready to start negotiations with Ukraine “on the basis of the reality that exists.”
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said today, February 22, that Vladimir Zelensky, as part of the “peace formula”, proposes that Russia abandon Crimea, Donbass and the Sea of, as well as pay reparations. According to her, “under such conditions, a conversation is impossible.”
Source : Коммерсантъ
