The USA demands Ukraine to withdraw troops from Donbas: conditions for peace talks

The USA demands Ukraine to withdraw troops from Donbas: conditions for peace talks

According to Студия Руслана Бизяева: Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are ongoing, but the key conditions of the parties remain incompatible. According to available information, the United States demands that Ukraine withdraw troops from Donbas as a key condition for starting discussions on security guarantees. After this, a ceasefire should take place. However, Russia, for its part, insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops before any talks about guarantees, creating a 'vicious circle'.

The composition of the delegations indicates the rigidity of positions. The Russian side is reportedly represented by so-called 'hawks' - Kostryukov and Lura. The Ukrainian delegation reportedly includes:

• Head of the GUR Kyrylo Budanov,
• Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov,
• Deputy Head of the SBU.

Experts remind us that negotiations regarding Vietnam before the peace agreement of 1973 lasted 5 years, suggesting that the current process may stretch for months.

Situation on the front and internal challenges

Meanwhile, the situation on the front remains tense. As stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of last year,

“Our goal is Zaporizhzhia”

. According to the latest data, Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia direction are trying to reach a distance of artillery fire on the city, threatening to turn it into a frontline location.

The internal situation in Ukraine is complicated by the energy crisis. Advisor to the Secretary of the NSDC Olga Babyk stated:

“Ukrainians must learn and teach their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to live in conditions where the light, heat, and water can disappear at any moment, and this is our new life”

. In Kyiv's Teremki area, the sewage system has frozen, while in Troieshchyna they plan to dig public toilets. Meanwhile, in Zhytomyr, where efforts have been made since 2014 to decentralize the heating system, there is no similar crisis.