Ukrainian officials say the country will not accept a pause in hostilities and will continue efforts to regain control of Russian-occupied territories.
"The president and his team will never agree to or accept a freeze in the conflict. Ukrainian society will not accept this either," Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on January 14. "What Ukraine needs is peace . We want to prevent any potential future acts of aggression."
Mr. Yermak made the remarks after co-chairing the fourth meeting of national security advisors on peace in Ukraine, held in Davos, Switzerland. This year's conference was attended by 81 countries and international organizations, an increase of 15 representatives compared to the third round in Malta.
The participants discussed the remaining five points of the ten-point peace plan proposed by Zelensky in November 2022, after having discussed the first five points at the third conference.
Summarizing the outcome of the event, Mr. Yermak said that all parties shared a common vision regarding the fundamental principles for restoring peace in Ukraine, namely ensuring the country's independence and territorial integrity in accordance with the UN Charter. However, he acknowledged that the conference remained divided on the specific methods for implementing the plan.
"The important thing is that all participating countries want to help end the conflict and restore peace. However, there are still differing opinions and viewpoints on how to do this," the Ukrainian official said.
Ukrainian forces in action in this photo posted on January 13. Photo: Ukrainian Army
Mr. Yermak also denied information that some of Ukraine's partners were pressuring Kiev to cede territory to Russia.
"Our partners are well aware of and fully respect our position. I have participated in all the high-level online conferences, including meetings with leaders of various countries, but I have never heard anyone mention the concessions that we have stated we will not accept, including the issue of the Crimean Peninsula," he said.
Last December, U.S. Senator JD Vance said Russia and Ukraine needed to negotiate and agree to "give up what they don't want to give up" to end the conflict, alluding to Kyiv accepting the loss of territories Moscow controls in Ukraine.
Stian Jenssen, chief of staff to the NATO secretary general, had previously suggested that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia in order to be admitted to the alliance, but this was strongly criticized by Kyiv, which then issued an apology.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict is about to enter its third year, yet shows no signs of ending. During his visit to Estonia on January 12, President Zelensky stated that Kyiv would not accept a ceasefire with Russia, as this would only provide Moscow with an opportunity to accumulate weapons and then return to attack Ukraine.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict situation. Graphic: RYV
President Vladimir Putin said last December that Russia was ready to negotiate with Ukraine, the United States, and Europe about the future of Kyiv, based on Moscow's national interests. He had previously mentioned discussing a solution to end the conflict in Ukraine on several occasions, but Western officials believe the Russian leader will wait for the results of the 2024 US elections before undertaking any real negotiation efforts.
Pham Giang (According to Ukrainska Pravda, RL, Reuters )
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