KYIV. UkraineGate . 8 . November .2022 | Political News .
The de-occupation of Kherson is unlikely to be a direct reason for negotiations with Russia, but it will provide an opportunity to insist on the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine to resume dialogue. This was stated in an interview with Radio Svoboda by Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office Mykhailo Podolyak .
Citation
“It is very good that journalists analyze and give different scenarios. This is normal. This is also an analytical work that suggests how an event can develop. But there is an official position recorded by President Zelenskyy. It is very clear. This is not a question of Kherson or not a question of Luhansk or Donetsk. It is a matter of the fact that in the legal territory of Ukraine, on the de jure territory of Ukraine, and this is the whole territory, including the occupied territories, there cannot be a pro-Russian enclave. Because it will not be a negotiating position,” Podolyak said.
He explained that this would only cause an additional burden on the process that follows the negotiations.
“Yes, we can say that when Kherson or, again, Luhansk, or Donetsk, or part of the Zaporozhian territory is liberated, for example, it will be a position of force. Then, of course, Ukraine can say: we offer you to leave the entire territory within 72 or 96 hours, withdraw all armed forces. Yes, there may be such a position of strength. But the key thing is still key (we, again, are returning) – the Russian occupation forces must stop being on the territory of Ukraine and that’s it. And after that, any negotiation process,” Podolyak said.
Supplement
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that the United States and NATO allow the start of peace negotiations on the Russian war against Ukraine, “if and when” Ukraine liberates Kherson, which is of strategic and diplomatic importance, from the Russians.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the Ukrainian military could return Kherson, and it would be a major defeat for Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would be able to find a format for dialogue with Russia if Russian troops retreated and admitted that they had made a terrible mistake.
Source: Ukrgate
