Ukrainian delegation split on U.S.–Russia peace talks, report says
Ukraine–U.S.–Russia peace talks in Geneva, Feb. 17 (Photo: Rustem Umerov / Telegram)
The Ukrainian negotiating team is split into two wings with
differing views on a potential U.S.–mediated peace deal with Russia, The
Economist reported
on Feb. 17.
Foreign Correspondent Oliver Carroll writes that head of the President’s Office and former HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov favors using the apparent window of opportunity to end the war with a demilitarized “free economic zone” in Donbas under the supervision of U.S. President Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace.” Budanov’s predecessor, Andriy Yermak, reportedly insists on holding out for better terms and still exerts considerable influence over the other half of the delegation .
“One wing, centered on Mr. Budanov, believes Ukraine’s interests are best served by a swift American-led agreement, and fears the window for action may soon close,” the article said.
“But another wing, apparently still influenced by the controversial former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who departed in a corruption scandal, is much less keen. [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy appears to be balancing between them, while also having his own ideas.”
One source close to the negotiating team told The Economist the odds of a breakthrough at the ongoing trilateral talks in Geneva were "50-50."
Carroll points out that the “free economic zone” solution is dubious in legal terms: it would require the United States to recognize Russian occupation of Ukraine’s sovereign territory, in direct contradiction with U.S. law.
The Geneva round of negotiations is scheduled run through Feb.
18, with officials from key European states present at the meetings without
direct participation.
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