On Could 16, Serhiy KyslytsyaThe primary deputy overseas minister of Ukraine has participated within the first direct peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian officers for over three years. The earlier spherical had additionally taken place within the first weeks of the complete invasion of Russia in Istanbul. Since then, the negotiations had totally stalled.
Vladimir Putin Istanbul himself proposed as an occasion location – however above all he didn’t participate, however as an alternative despatched his confidants Vladimir Medinsky lead the Russian delegation.
The conversations which might be held behind closed doorways and arranged by Torkiye had been accomplished with two particular outcomes: Completion of the most important change of prisoners to this point (1,000 for 1,000) And an settlement to fulfill once more. Nevertheless, no progress was made within the occasion of an armistice.
What occurred behind closed doorways remained secret – till now.
Particulars appeared when Kyslytsya broke his silence In an insightful interview With the Ukrainian broadcaster My-Ukrayina. His feedback, later summarized by Euromaidan Press and confirmed by reporting The economist And ReutersImpissed the surprising negotiation techniques in Russia and what they reveal about Putin’s true technique.
Why this assembly was completely different from everybody else
The assembly was the primary direct diplomatic contact since early 2022, however Putin’s strategy revealed much more. As a result of solutions of Istanbul – place of the blocked conversations of 2022 – whereas he refused to go to himself, Putin despatched a transparent information about management and situations.
Russia’s most significant demand consisted completely of america. Russian officers claimed them “I had no mandate to speak when the USA was within the room” Raps from their necessity to manage each tales and members.
TΓΌrkiye dealt professionally and supplied interpreters in 4 languages ββand seating, which maintains the deliberate distance between the enemy delegations.
However Russia’s restrictions had been instantly apparent.
“This was an skilled delegation, however they’d no mandate to not transfer one step to the left or proper.” Kyslytsya noticed. “They adopted the directions they acquired, inflexible.”
Probably the most insightful was their categorical rejection of the core demand of Ukraine: “They stated a number of instances through the negotiations:” An unconditional ceasefire is categorically unacceptable “,” Kyslytsya remembered.
“I do not suppose your directions have included an possibility to attain an settlement with Ukraine to an armistice.” He closed.
“Perhaps you’ll lose extra kinfolk” – Russia’s private threats
From the opening moments, the Russian delegation accepted what Kyslytsya described as one Psychological strain marketing campaign Designed in order to not negotiate, however to destabilize their Ukrainian colleagues.
“It was all a part of the strain marketing campaign – to impress it, insult, break our serenity.” he stated.
The ambiance within the room was described as deliberately hostile. Russian delegates have reported Aggressive interruptions, historic revisionism and calculated provocations to maintain their Ukrainian colleagues out of steadiness.
Probably the most scary second got here when Medinsky reviews reported:
“Perhaps a few of those that sit right here at this desk will lose extra of their family members. Russia is able to combat ceaselessly.”
For Kyslytsya, whose Nephew died in opposition to UkraineThe menace was deeply private. The concentrating on of members of the family represented A Crossing diplomatic purple traces This even shocked skilled negotiators.
However psychological warfare prolonged past private threats. The Russian delegation Systematically tries to refuse the Ukrainian identification itselfthe battle in a approach that may erase the sovereignty of Ukraine and the nationwide legitimacy of Ukraine.
At one level the Russian facet defined:
“This struggle … there are principally solely Russians who kill the Russians. With some nuances.”
“They let you know:” You aren’t Ukrainian, you might be Russian “,” Kyslytsya advised. “It wasn’t simply disrespectful; it was dehuman.”
This rejection of the Ukrainian nation was not solely rhetorical – it represented one The core factor of Russia’s justification for the invasion.
Russia’s “distant territorial” necessities
Russia’s oral threats had been agreed with Territorial Ultimats This made significant negotiations not possible. In keeping with Kyslytsya and exterior reporting, Russia demanded Ukraine Draw again from all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – together with the areas of Ukraine.
Medinsky reported reportedly on the historic precedent:
“We fought Sweden for 21 years. How lengthy are you able to combat?”
The Russian delegation additionally warned that Ukraine had rejected the present necessities. “Subsequent time we come for six and even eight areas as an alternative of 4.”
A Reuters supply known as the necessities “Distance from actuality” Whereas Ukrainian officers described them as Russia “Minimal requirement.”
“These weren’t negotiations”, “ Kyslytsya Fortress. “These had been print exams.”
The stunning motive why Russia didn’t exit
Regardless of its hostility and not possible calls for, the Russian delegation by no means assumed. After Kyslytsya that was Probably the most significant side the whole encounter.
“They could not afford to exit. They needed to get away with one thing.”
Russia had initially hoped to make the talks as a continuation of the negotiations in 2022 in Istanbul. When Ukraine rejected this framework, the Russia’s narrative technique collapsed – however they remained.
Kyslytsya believes that this has the necessity for Russia to sign america remained diplomatically engagedEven when the American participation is excluded from the conversations.
“They dwell in a world of illusions. From dimension, management, refusal” he stated.
Even Medinsky’s direct entry to Putin, argued Kyslytsya, meant little in observe.
“Entry and braveness will not be the identical. You don’t report a actuality of a dictator. You report a model of occasions that flatter energy.”
What that actually means for the Ukraine struggle
Whereas the Camped change introduced residence 1,000 Ukrainians – a wise humanitarian victory – – There have been no broader diplomatic progress. No timeline was set for future peaks and no body for arrange De -escalation or future ceasefire.
TΓΌrkiye professionally managed the logistics, made interpreters out there in 4 languages, and held cautious neutrality. However Russia insist on the exclusion of American participation The fundamental restriction of the method reveals.
“It is a dictatorship”, “ Kyslytsya noticed. “There aren’t any councilors or parliaments. Every little thing is within the fingers of a person.”
This man is Vladimir Putin. And till he himself enters the room, Peace negotiations stay not possible.
The hidden reality about Putin’s technique
The discussions produced in Istanbul No diplomatic breakthroughHowever they confirmed some choice Russia’s place underneath strain.
The mixture of non-public threats and inflexible necessities, coupled with the unwillingness to really depart the negotiating desk, revealed a regime that tries to strive it Venture power with the simultaneous administration of significant restrictions.
The conclusion: Putin’s delegation additionally remained sitting, even when their targets had been lacking – probably reveal extra throughout Russian borders than any formal diplomatic consequence.
Learn too
“Maybe more of your loved ones will die”: Russia’s threat to the peace talks of Ukraine unveiled
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