Is a political settlement between Russia and Ukraine on the cards? I am sceptical | Rajan Menon
Neither war fatigue nor the fear of an escalation into nuclear war seem enough to spur on negotiations to end the conflict
Russia’s war against Ukraine has passed the two-and-a-half-year mark, intensifying international calls for a political settlement. But Kyiv and Moscow’s minimal conditions for peace remain irreconcilable. Volodymyr Zelenskiy wants to regain all territories seized by Russia not just since 24 February 2022, but in 2014 as well. Vladimir Putin wants four Ukrainian provinces – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson – plus a Ukraine that is barred from Nato membership and constrained by caps on troop numbers and armaments, which Moscow demanded in the negotiations held with Kyiv in April 2022.
Both leaders have stated publicly that they are open to negotiations, but neither has abandoned his longstanding goals or given up on victory. As a result, Russia’s army grinds forward in Donetsk (the main theatre of war), albeit at a heavy cost in troops and equipment, and threatens key towns. And last month, Ukrainian troops stunned Moscow by pushing into Kursk province undetected, eventually occupying some 500 square miles, more than the Russian army has in Donetsk all year.
Rajan Menon is a political scientist who has travelled across wartime Ukraine on four occasions and is the co-author of Conflict in Ukraine: The Unwinding of the Post-Cold War Order
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...Date: | |
Tag: | Ukraine |
Topics
-
The Hill - Politics
Why I am an evangelical for Harris
One of our chief criteria for evaluating and choosing our leaders are the teachings of Jesus calling us to help the vulnerable.9 hours ago -
BBC News - Top stories
'I am a rapist' admits man accused of drugging and abusing wife for 10 years
Dominique Pelicot, 71, is accused of drugging his wife Gisèle to sleep and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her.Yesterday -
CBS News - Top stories
"I am a rapist, like the others in this room," Frenchman tells court
"She did not deserve this," Gisele Pelicot's ex-husband says at his trial in France, admitting to drugging and raping her and inviting other men to join in.Yesterday -
ESPN - Sports
Zlatan on AC Milan: 'I am the boss, I'm in charge'
Former AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimović discussed his executive role he holds at the Italian club before their Champions League defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday, saying "the others work for me."3 hours ago -
Financial Times - World
Tracking Ukraine’s battle against Russia in maps
A visual guide to the war9 hours ago - Ukraine
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Walkie-talkie blasts: attacks on Hezbollah kill 20 as Israel says military focus shifting north
Twenty killed and at least 450 injured in cities across Lebanon a day after exploding pagers killed 12. Analysis: Pager and walkie-talkie attacks were audacious and carefully planned A new ...10 hours ago - Israel -
The Guardian - World
More than 100 ex-Republican officials call Trump ‘unfit to serve’ and endorse Harris
In recent weeks, a handful of Republicans have crossed party lines to endorse Democratic presidential candidate. US politics live – latest updates More than 100 Republican former national ...11 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
‘It breaks us deeply’: anguish as China closes door to foreign adoptions
For couples in the US mid-way through the adoption process, news of an end to international adoptions has been crushing . Americans Lauren and Harrison Smith met in China as students, and discussed ...3 hours ago - China -
The Guardian - World
Iran sent hacked Trump documents to Biden campaign, FBI says
Officials say there is no indication Biden campaign responded to the emails, which offered information stolen from Trump campaign. Iranian hackers sought to interest President Joe Biden’s campaign ...2 hours ago - Joe Biden -
The Guardian - World
Storm Boris batters northern Italy bringing severe flooding and landslides
Homes evacuated in Emilia-Romagna region as pounding rain ‘well beyond the worst forecasts’ sweeps in. Homes are being evacuated in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna as Storm Boris, ...6 hours ago