Compromise statements from both Russia and Ukraine have raised hopes of a breakthrough in peace talks after three weeks of hostilities.
The Financial Times reported on March 16 that Ukraine and Russia had made significant progress in building a tentative 15-point peace agreement.
The Financial Times, citing five people involved in the negotiations, said the deal includes a ceasefire and a decision by Russia to withdraw troops, if Ukraine declares its neutrality and accepts the limits placed on its forces. armed force of this country.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Psekov said it was too early to reveal any potential deal between Moscow and Kiev. However, a positive signal is that the two countries are still open to dialogue, even though breakthrough results have not been achieved after four negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said talks with Russia were becoming "more realistic" and had positive prospects, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the proposals being discussed were "closer to coming". a deal".
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is ready to discuss neutrality over Ukraine, but will still achieve the goals of the military operation, which he described as going "as planned". . Putin also warned that the West was provoking civil strife in Russia and called on Russians to denounce "traitors".
On the 21st day of the military operation, Russian forces continued their airstrikes on besieged cities in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian army is still "unmoving" at the gates of the capital Kiev.
Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said on March 16 that "Ukraine is proposing a model of a neutral demilitarized state, similar to Austria or Sweden, but still possessing an army and navy." Russia has repeatedly stated that it wants Ukraine to become neutral and not join NATO, so the Kremlin sees this idea as a signal of "compromise".
Ukrainian officials have previously said that the country is ready to discuss with Russia about maintaining neutrality. However, President Zelensky suggested that Kiev receive "security guarantees" from Russia and the West.
"Neutrality is being seriously discussed along with security guarantees," the Russian foreign minister said.
In a move that could reduce tensions, President Zelensky announced on March 15 that Ukraine would not join NATO and this is a fact that the Ukrainian people must accept. Last week, the Ukrainian leader admitted he was no longer interested in joining NATO after realizing that NATO was "not ready to join Ukraine".
Preventing Ukraine from joining NATO, the US-led military alliance, is one of Russia's main demands before Moscow launches a special military operation in the neighboring country.
Ukraine's chief negotiator, Mykhailo Podolyak, said Kiev was seeking direct talks between Zelensky and Putin. Moscow said the two leaders could meet, but only to finalize a pre-prepared agreement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on March 13 again affirmed that Russia has never ruled out the possibility of direct talks between President Putin and President Zelensky to defuse tensions. President Putin said last week that he saw "positive developments" in negotiations with Ukraine. President Zelensky welcomed this statement of the Russian leader.
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