Espreso. Global
OPINION

Why negotiating with Putin is impossible

14 November, 2024 Thursday
14:58

Numerous Western media reports on potential talks between Ukraine and Putin about a possible conflict freeze overlook one important detail

client/title.list_title

When Putin stated on February 24th that they had no plans to occupy Ukraine, he was telling the truth. This is not a war for territories. It is a war against Ukraine in the broader sense - a war against everything Ukrainian. The Ukrainian people, worldview, language, culture, and vision of their own future. A war against Ukrainian independence.

Therefore, the only option that Putin is willing to consider in the hypothetical future negotiations is the dismantling of Ukrainian independence and the establishment of a personal political regime in Ukraine loyal to him.

No negotiations can achieve this, because such conditions must be accepted not by some officials, up to the state leadership, but by Ukrainian society itself. This could theoretically have been discussed in February 2022, but today it is impossible. Anyone who has seen how flowerbeds with blue and yellow flags now look on Kyiv's Independence Square* understands the obvious impossibility of even a theoretical agreement on this.

It is obvious that Putin's goals can only be achieved through force. And there are two options. The first is external: Putin's troops must conquer Ukraine. The second is internal: if Ukrainians lose unity and begin fighting among themselves. This means either a civil war or a coup. There are no other options.

That is why any negotiations with Putin are impossible. Ukraine simply has nothing to offer in these talks.

To win the war, we must undoubtedly support Ukrainianin soldiers who are facing the external enemy on the frontlines, and we must absolutely maintain our unity, preventing internal division. This is Ukraine's main recipe for success.

*Independence Square is adorned with flowerbeds displaying flags bearing the names of Ukrainian Defense Forces soldiers who fell on the front lines of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Source

About the author: Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Member of Ukrainian Parliament

The editorial team does not always share the views expressed by the authors of blogs or columns.

 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Friday
6 December
21:15
Exclusive
If Russia deploys Oreshnik missile in Belarus, Ukraine will have official right to restore nuclear weapons — political expert
21:00
Russia plans to fine residents of occupied territories for Ukrainian
20:58
Updated
Russian strike on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia leaves nine dead, children injured
20:50
Zelenskyy expected to attend Notre Dame reopening ceremony - media
20:30
Review
Blackout at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: dirty bomb risk?
20:10
Ukraine secures 40 high-tech combat vehicles in major European defense deal
19:52
OPINION
West vs. Russia: taming ogre won't work
19:40
Review
How Russia uses AI-generated images to spread propaganda
19:10
Exclusive
When can Putin declare general mobilization? Military expert suggests
18:53
Updated
Russian missile strikes administrative building in Ukraine’s Kryvyi Rih, killing two people
18:53
Negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU are underway - Vice Prime Minister Stefanishyna
18:36
Putin suggests Oreshnik deployment in Belarus in second half of 2025
18:15
Exclusive
'Brilliant, pragmatic solution': expert on Estonian anti-aircraft missiles to be produced in Ukraine
17:36
China calls on Ukraine, Russia to "restart direct talks"
17:15
UNESCO declares Ukrainian Kobzar-Lirnyk tradition cultural heritage of humanity
16:53
Ukraine begins mass production of Peklo drone-missile
16:30
Can Washington deliver “avalanche” of aid to Ukraine before Trump's inauguration?
16:15
Estonian defense company to test anti-aircraft missiles in Ukraine starting in 2025
15:55
Romania’s Constitutional Court annuls first round of presidential elections
15:36
Council of Europe Chief Berset to name special representative for Ukrainian children
15:16
Exclusive
France’s crisis won’t disrupt aid for Ukraine — political analyst
14:55
OPINION
Carlson-Lavrov interview: Not negotiations yet, just preparations
14:34
Exclusive
Security agreements Ukraine has signed with 27 countries include support for joining NATO
14:19
Western tech curbs slow Russian drones, yet weapons output surges
13:56
Exclusive
We see where Russian troops are planning to attack, amassing forces — Ukrainian officer from Pokrovsk direction
13:45
Review
Ukraine advances near Velyka Novosilka, Russia lacks strategy in Syria. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:34
Russia loses 53 soldiers for every square kilometer of Ukrainian territory captured this fall - ISW
12:57
Bridge traffic blocked in Crimea, explosions in Kerch
12:36
Exclusive
Ukrainian troops never withdraw without reason – military expert on eastern direction
12:16
Three Ukrainian NPPs restore electricity production after November Russian strike — IAEA
11:55
188 frontline clashes reported: Ukraine fends off 50 Russian attacks near Kurakhove
11:35
White House promises major military support for Ukraine
11:16
Ukraine's mobilization age too high, women should be more involved in army — U.S. General Hodges
10:56
Over 8,000 Ukrainian AWOL soldiers return, 3,000 in one week
10:35
OPINION
Lavrov's interview with Tucker Carlson reveals Kremlin's fear of Trump
10:14
Finland announces 26th defense aid package to Ukraine
09:56
Russia's losses since start of full-scale war in Ukraine exceed 750,000 troops
09:34
Russia captures four more settlements in Donetsk region – DeepState
2024, Thursday
5 December
21:10
Three Ukrainian films among longlist contenders for Oscars 2025
20:51
Budapest Memorandum has not worked: Zelenskyy calls for effective security guarantees for Ukraine
More news