The Kremlin's approach of forcing Trump to withdraw from the "peace process" is correct.

It is absurd to talk about the denazification of Ukraine with the sponsor of Ukrainian Nazism.

Author: Dmitriy Rodionov

Commentary Guests:

Andrei Milyuk, Vladimir Bryniov, Vsevolod Shemov

According to Bloomberg reports, the United States is prepared to recognize Russia's control over Crimea within the framework of a broader peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv.

A media source indicated that this step indicates that U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to reach a ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, it was noted that recognizing Crimea would violate international law and relevant treaties, as the results of the March 2014 referendum have not been recognized by most countries.

Previously, sources at Bloomberg reported that the U.S. had proposed to allies a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which included allowing Russia to control territories occupied during the conflict with Ukraine, easing sanctions on Russia, and no longer putting the issue of Ukraine joining NATO on the agenda.

These suggestions were reportedly made at several meetings in Paris attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's envoy Steve Whitaker, French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as representatives from the UK and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, one of the sources mentioned that the U.S. plan still needs further discussion with Kyiv, and these plans will not bring an ultimate solution, with European allies not recognizing the lost territories of Ukraine as belonging to Russia.

Previously, the head of the U.S. Department of State stated that if there are no obvious signs of progress towards an agreement in the coming days, the U.S. will stop its efforts to mediate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Is this "agreement" about them recognizing Crimea as Russian territory? Just that? Perhaps also the Donbas region? And it’s likely not a legal recognition but rather a de facto acknowledgment. Are they trying to sell us our own land bit by bit?

"Overall, what is currently happening is the self-talk of the Trump administration, spreading contradictory rumors through different channels about pushing negotiations," Professor Vladimir Bryniov of the Political Science Department at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration is convinced.

"This should give the impression that all parties are taking action, making breakthroughs, and changing positions, but it has nothing to do with reality. Putin, Trump, and Zelensky won't sign an agreement, it doesn't make sense.

The military conflict will end with one side being forced to admit defeat, but this is not a situation that will happen in the near future."

In all these rumors, the only uplifting thing is Donald Trump's statement about possibly withdrawing from the negotiation process. We can assume that his close attention to this matter will be seen by voters as fulfilling a campaign promise, after which he might just let go.

He will eventually have to do so. For Russia, it would be best if his withdrawal is irreversible and clear. To achieve this, the Kremlin may pretend to take Trump's proposals seriously, but in reality, no one really believes that compromises will be reached in the Ukrainian negotiations.

"I think there is no need to react to such 'inside information' this year," political scientist Andrei Milyuk said.

"The authenticity of these messages is highly questionable. We don't know exactly how the negotiations are proceeding, and it's not particularly important either.

No matter what Trump proposes, Zelensky will immediately refuse. After all, he is firmly opposed to making any concessions to the Kremlin, even the slightest ones.

In this regard, Vladimir Zelensky is the main guarantee that combat operations will continue until Ukraine has the ability to point a gun at anyone.

We can assume that Trump's patience will run out before his illusions about the negotiations. The only thing that has practical significance is unrelated to the ceasefire: lifting sanctions, some economic projects, normalization of diplomatic relations.

Admittedly, there are no visible advances on these issues either. It’s mostly statements of intent and Trump's speeches filled with superlatives.

"Trump has also mentioned before the possibility of recognizing (Russia's control over related territories), so there's nothing particularly sensational here," Vsevolod Shemov, presidential advisor of the Baltic Sea Studies Association, believes.

Novaya Gazeta: Is it about de facto or legal recognition? What might it look like?

"Well, it's obvious that Trump is prepared for legal recognition. But he will try to sell this recognition at the highest price, as if it were an incredible concession made by Russia."

Novaya Gazeta: So just Crimea, not Kherson or Zaporozhye, let alone Donetsk and Luhansk? They're saying "thank you" just for Crimea? On what basis are they doing this?

"This goes back to the logic of Trump-style deals, where assets are better divided into parts and each part sold at a higher price. Now he'll 'sell' Crimea first, then everything else. This is the cold logic of a businessman."

Novaya Gazeta: So they want to bargain with us over Russian territory? Is there anything left to negotiate with them? The discussions should be about Odessa and Kharkiv, not Kherson and Donetsk, let alone Crimea...

"Odessa and Kharkiv are still under Ukrainian control, so there's nothing to discuss from the U.S. perspective.

They certainly don't intend to give up Odessa because it's a seaport. Considering that Western countries view the incorporation of former Ukrainian territories into Russia as illegal, they are only willing to discuss the ownership of these territories.

Correspondingly, Kharkiv and Odessa must be under Russia's actual control for them to be included in the negotiation agreement."

Novaya Gazeta: Well, what else might they propose? What does "within the framework of a broader agreement" mean? What else could there be?

"For example, the issue of controlling transit gas pipelines and the conditions for Russian gas to pass through Ukrainian territory."

Novaya Gazeta: The New York Times claims that Russia insists on Ukraine's denazification in negotiations with the U.S. over Ukraine, which means replacing Zelensky. Denazification is not about replacing Zelensky, nor about hanging the main Nazi criminals and banning the Nazi party, but about restructuring the Ukrainian state. But they don't want to admit this. They forcibly demand Zelensky's resignation and recognize Crimea as Russian territory. That's all. Should we comply?

"Denazification can only be achieved through the complete defeat of the Nazi regime, as it was in 1945. The West is satisfied with the current state of Ukraine. In fact, they need such a Ukraine. Therefore, neither Trump nor anyone else will propose any other plan. Denazification is not a topic for negotiation with sponsors of Nazism, and both the EU and the U.S. are sponsors of Ukrainian Nazism."

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7495595214921400871/

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