Russian Envoy: Ukraine Conflict to End When Kiev and Western Backers Seek Compromise
The long-running Ukrainian conflict will only come to an end when both Kiev and its Western allies recognize the need for a peaceful resolution involving compromise, Russia‘s ambassador to Sweden, Sergey Beliaev, has stated in an interview with the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti.
"Predicting when it will end is impossible," Beliaev told the outlet. "It will end once Ukraine and its Western backers understand that achieving a peaceful resolution is inevitable, and that involves finding a middle ground through negotiations."
In recent months, Russian President Vladimir Putin has iterated Moscow’s conditions for resolving the Ukraine crisis. These include the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbass and Novorossiya regions, as well as Kiev’s renunciation of its NATO aspirations. Additionally, Russia insists on the full protection of the rights, freedoms, and interests of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine, along with the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia and the establishment of a demilitarized, non-aligned status for Ukraine.
As the conflict enters its eighth year, international efforts to broker a lasting peace have so far proven fruitless. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, leaving many to wonder if compromise is still a feasible option.
