"It is possible to find common ground”. This is the message launched by the Russian chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, at the end of the first round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Words which, five days after the start of the Russian invasion, finally allow cautious optimism to flourish.
How the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine went
The words of the Russian chief negotiator were also confirmed by his Ukrainian counterpart, Mikhaylo Podolyak. “The main purpose of today's talks was to discuss the ceasefire in Ukraine and the hostilities. The parties identified a number of priority topics on which certain decisions were outlined. In order for these decisions to receive some implementation opportunities, logistical solutions, the parties are leaving for consultations in their capitals,” Podolyak said.
The delegations are already leaving Golem, Belarus, to return to their respective countries and carry out the consultations, but according to reports from both sides they will meet again in the next few days to a second round of talks. However, this time the meeting could be held in a more "neutral" context, on the border between Poland and Belarus.
Putin's conditions to Macron
While the negotiations between the delegations were still underway in Golem, from Moscow the Russian president Vladimir Putin listed in a long phone call with the French president, Emmanuel Macron his conditions for ending the military attack on Ukraine.
First: the international community will have to recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea, occupied by Moscow in 2014. Second: Ukraine will have to become one neutral, demilitarized and “denazified” state, the latter term indicating the request for a change of government, with a step back by the current Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to sources from the Elysée Palace, during the conversation Macron confirmed to Putin the "request to cease the Russian offensive against Ukraine, reiterating the need to an immediate ceasefire“. In particular, the French president has asked for an end to the bombing of civilians and homes, for all civilian infrastructure to be preserved and for the main roads to be guaranteed, especially that in the south of Kiev. Putin, according to sources in the French presidency, has "confirmed his willingness to commit himself to these three points". Macron finally proposed to the Russian president to "stay in touch in the coming days to prevent the situation from worsening” and “Putin agreed”.
Zelensky's requests
Ukraine for its part has instead asked for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the country. President Zelensky also signed an official request for Ukraine to join the European Union. Usually the entry of a country into the EU takes several years, but according to Zelensky this time we should proceed with an emergency procedure. However, Brussels is holding the brakes. the High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell in fact stated that "Ukraine's accession to the EU is not on the immediate agenda". “We have to give an answer in the next few hours, not in the next few years. Ukraine has a clear European perspective but now is the time to fight against an aggression,” he added.
The latest news about the fighting in Ukraine
Meanwhile fighting continues in Ukraine. They are still ongoing heavy bombing to the capital Kiev, but above all to Kharkiv, the second largest city in the country.
"The whole world must see this horror. Dozens of people were killed and injured,” wrote Anton Herashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian interior ministry, in a Facebook post, attaching a video of the rocket attack in Kharkiv.
In the middle of the day, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry communicated an initial civilian death toll: they are 352 dead, including 14 children. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 500 Ukrainians have so far left the country.
Switzerland adopts sanctions against Russia
Switzerland has abandoned its traditional neutrality eafully enacted EU sanctions against Russia. “In view of Russia's continued military intervention in Ukraine, the Federal Council decided on February 28 to adopt the sanctions packages imposed by the EU on February 23 and 25,” reads a note from the Swiss government. Switzerland also announced financial sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. “Switzerland reaffirms its solidarity with Ukraine and its people and will provide humanitarian aid to people who have fled to Poland,” the government statement continues.
