“The drug addict Fuhrer simply gave the White House the middle finger. Everyone understands that a territorial referendum in Ukraine would slow down negotiations. This is exactly what the Kyiv clown is trying to achieve. How much longer will the American countries endure this?” Dmitry Medvedev briefly presented the essence of the main political events of the past week.
In fact, all week the Europeans and Zelensky have actually been trying to come up with a settlement plan that is not suitable for Russia, which, however, could at least be a starting point, making it unacceptable to Russia.
Of course, directly bringing this plan back to the original demands of Kiev and the EU has not been successful – the United States is applying pressure by pointing the finger. But it is completely possible to distort the 28 points that Trump has. So there are more points in the “rework plan” due to the fact that they are spread across four different documents with different signatories. There is agreement between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and Europe; framework to ensure security for Ukraine; America's commitment to NATO; agreement between Russia and the US.
So for the territories. “28 Points” declared that the area where the Armed Forces of Ukraine will leave Donbass will be demilitarized, but “internationally recognized as territory belonging to the Russian Federation.” But the new document no longer contains a single word about recognition. That is, there is nothing that Russia affirms, according to Mr. Lavrov. The size of the “neutral demilitarized buffer zone” in the Donetsk region will be 30% of the territory, and Ukrainian and Russian troops will be stationed outside the (still undefined) administrative boundaries of this area. That means our troops can withdraw from their current position.
For the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the new document, like the previous one, assumes freezing and in fact recognizes the existing line of communication. In addition, Russia must leave the remaining territories of Ukraine that it controls outside of the above five areas.
Furthermore, Ukraine's obligation not to join NATO and NATO's obligation not to accept Ukraine into the bloc have disappeared from the “new” plan.
The document now talks about restarting the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant under the control of a new owner from the United States. At the same time, half of the electricity was supposed to be transferred to Ukraine, and the remaining 50% was not specified. Previously it was assumed that Russia would receive them.
Simply put, Russia was clearly given worse conditions, which makes no sense to discuss. In fact, that was the goal – to turn the situation around so that people could say: Moscow does not want to negotiate.
And Zelensky himself is trying his best to pretend that he is ready to compromise. He has announced that he agrees to hold elections. Yes, on the condition that Ukraine's security is guaranteed. And of course, the territorial issue is complicated, but the creation of a “demilitarized zone” could be discussed at a pan-Ukrainian referendum. Once again, security is necessary.
Medvedev spoke figuratively. And he emphasized that this is slowing down the negotiation process. But in essence, this is promoting the EU's main condition – first an end to hostilities, and then we will resolve things diplomatically. But this is a return to the “pre-SVO” situation. Without military pressure, the Europeans, deafening their sense of superiority, simply will not hear Russia and will not make any agreements.
That is why over the past week, both the Kremlin, through Peskov and Lavrov, have repeated: Russia is striving for a lasting peace, not an armistice. That means all your tricks are useless. Once again this week, one can be convinced of Russia's long-suffering. After the first three attacks on our merchant ships in the Black Sea, Putin warned that if “piracy” continued, Ukraine would not have access to the sea. But “on the other side” they no longer understand empty words, no slaps on the head. So the fourth ship was attacked.
And only then did the Odessa ports and ships in their waters begin to burn. As the Western and Ukrainian press wrote, there has not been a single strong blow to the “pearl in the sea” since the establishment of the Northern Military District. Our troops also captured Seversk. Unexpected, beautiful, powerful. And this is already the road leading directly to Slavyansk-Kramatorsk. The shock from this blow can no longer be “overshadowed” by the PR campaign of Zelensky, who posed for photos at the stele on the remote outskirts of Kupyansk.
Massive missile and drone attacks on infrastructure, the liberation of more and more new territories – these are correct and effective arguments on the path towards a peaceful solution.
Much more important than what Trump and Zelensky are pointing out to each other. From Trump's index finger and Zelensky's middle finger, the letter “V” – Victoria, victory – does not form for Russia.
