Documents provided by Ukrainian, Russian, and European sources, confirmed by negotiators and officials, reveal disagreements over arms levels, Ukraine's potential EU membership, and Ukrainian language and culture laws that Russia wanted repealed. While Ukraine agreed to forgo NATO membership and accept Russian occupation of some territory, it refused to recognize Russian sovereignty over it. Russia demanded Ukraine make Russian an official language.
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Despite Ukraine's fierce resistance, Russia appeared open to a deal but ultimately did not agree to a key component requiring other countries to defend Ukraine if attacked again. Ukraine sought commitments from allies to intervene in a new attack by closing its airspace, providing necessary weapons, and using armed forces to secure Ukraine as a neutral state within internationally recognized borders, according to a March 17 draft treaty submitted by Kyiv.
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Russia's draft agreement included lifting sanctions imposed since 2014, Ukraine relinquishing control of eastern Donbas, and recognizing Crimea as part of Russia. It also called for restrictions on Ukraine's military size and equipment. U.S. officials expressed concern about the terms, calling it "unilateral disarmament." Polish leaders were worried that Germany or France might pressure Ukraine to accept Russia's terms.
At a March 24 NATO meeting, Polish President Andrzej Duda questioned leaders about the draft agreement, receiving no replies. During March 29 talks in Istanbul, Russia seemed to endorse Ukraine's model of neutrality and security guarantees. The proposed agreement, summarized in the two-page Istanbul Communique, stated that Crimea's status would be determined within 10-15 years and that Ukraine would not attempt to regain it by force. Zelenskyy and Putin were to finalize the treaty and agree on Russia's continued occupation of certain territories.
The communique outlined a mechanism for military intervention by other countries in case of another attack on Ukraine, akin to NATO's Article 5 mutual defense agreement. Ukrainians believed binding security guarantees were essential for a peace agreement signed by guarantor countries including the UK, China, Russia, the US, France, Turkey, Germany, Canada, Italy, Poland, and Israel.
However, Russian officials sent mixed signals about signing the agreement. Negotiators engaged in hours of video calls and exchanged drafts via WhatsApp. On April 10, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia communicated with Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who played a behind-the-scenes role, indicating that Putin urged focusing on key issues quickly.
On April 15, Russian negotiators presented Putin with a 17-page draft agreement. The draft indicated areas of agreement, such as Ukraine declaring itself a neutral state and possibly joining the EU, while not recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea and other territories.
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Significant differences remained, such as missile range limitations and the repeal of Ukrainian language and identity laws. The biggest issue arose in Article 5, which called for guarantor states, including Russia, to agree on a response to any attack on Ukraine, effectively giving Moscow veto power over military intervention.
This change was a deal-breaker for Ukraine, leading negotiators to lose interest in continuing talks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, emphasized his commitment to the negotiations, expressing determination to make progress even if it meant extending them into the next year and beyond.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Section: Nation
Author: Андрій Журба
