Ukraine may invite Russia to further peace talks
Head of Office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Andrey Yermak, said Kiev is open to the possibility of Moscow's participation in the next peace conference.
Mr Yermak held a conference call with reporters late on June 19 to give Kiev’s perspective on the peace summit held over the weekend in a resort in Lucerne, Switzerland. He revealed that working groups were preparing a follow-up meeting.
“All these parts will be part of this common plan, which will be supported by many countries” at the next meeting, Mr. Yermak said, according to Bloomberg. “We think we can invite a representative from Russia,” Mr. Yermak said.
While Kiev has the support of the US and its allies in its conflict with Moscow, Zelensky has long sought to gain approval from more countries for his “peace formula.” The Swiss conference failed in that regard, with some participants refusing to sign the final communique and others withdrawing their signatures, RT reported.
Many countries – notably China – have declined invitations to the conference because Russia was not invited, arguing that this makes any idea of peace talks pointless from the start. Mr Zelensky’s administration has outlawed any talks with the current Russian leadership.
Mr Yermak stressed that the Swiss conference had been a success and said the next meeting would be “more representative”. He added that Ukraine was “pragmatic” and sought to unite “responsible countries” to support Mr Zelensky’s formula.
Moscow has dismissed Kiev's proposed peace plan as unrealistic and even ridiculous, as it envisions Russia giving up Crimea, paying reparations and complying with the verdict of a war crimes tribunal...
Ahead of the Swiss conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out Moscow's set of preconditions for peace talks, starting with Kiev's recognition of Russia's sovereignty over Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye.
According to Russia's Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, the Swiss conference is actually aimed at alleviating doubts about the legitimacy of Mr. Zelensky's government.
The Ukrainian president's term officially ends on May 20, and the country's constitution does not provide for a way to extend his term. Meanwhile, according to RT, some Ukrainian officials complain that Mr. Yermak is the real power in Kiev and that his purge of rival officials has eroded the West's trust.
