Posted on 03/07/2022 6:45:33 AM PST by Conservat1
Regime change is still one of Putin’s terms for today’s negotiations. It just wasn’t included in the Kremlin’s press release today.
Did it say anything about Russia’s demand for Ukraine’s complete demilitarization?
As for Crimea, it’s gone; and Russia ain’t giving it back. Self-Rule for the Donbas? I’d agree to that, on the condition it remains part of Ukraine but without a national franchise, and that NO Russian troops remain in ANY Ukrainian territory, which would include Donbas. No NATO membership? I’m okay with that, as well.
RE: They did, in 2014. “Leave Ukraine” won 95% of the votes.
Well, if so, Ukraine should honor that. ONE DOWN, two to go.
Heck, if California voted to leave the United States by 95%, I’d let them go. No reason to kill thousands of Californians just to force them to stay in the Union if they don’t want to.
Comrade rod, little Putin has killed Russia with his invasion. This is him begging. Look at the picture of him up on your wall and enjoy!
Perhaps counter with:
not joining any military blocs (including Russia’s);
can “associate” and trade with EU without joining as a full fledged member;
Russia can have the Crimea and a set amount/year of water via canal from Ukraine;
Russia can have the breakaway provinces with compensation for all Ukrainians who want to relocate out of them;
Ukraine will receive 50% of revenue from the oil, gas, and minerals in the breakaway provinces in perpetuity;
Russia will pay to rebuild and replace all damage they have done in Ukraine;
Russia will pay compensation for Ukrainians they have killed, injured, and displaced; and,
Ukraine will have unlimited rights to develop, produce, and sell oil, gas, and minerals in areas in its own offshore zone and the offshore zone of Crimea.
Russia has to withdraw all its forces from Ukraine within 10 days of the agreement, and never come back.
Because Russia (Putin) is/are getting their collective (fill in the blank) kicked.
Sounds like that’s all they wanted from the start…
While appeasement is generally not a good policy, I'm not sure why it became unacceptable in the last few months. Ukraine seemed hellbent to join NATO, knowing that it antagonized Russia. What else is going on there that hasn't been revealed?
… and Ukraine should insist that Russia pay for the damages inflicted upon its country by this invasion.
Putin forgot to include forced repatriation of all Russian military equipment and soldiers. I bet a lot of them won’t want to go home, and a lot of that equipment is out of gas.
“Don’t see any demands that are any different from well before invasion.”
Well, Russia did drop the demand for Ukraine’s complete demilitarization. So, there’s that.
Ukraine would be wise to accept this very generous offer.
Agreed. Putin wants out.
“Heck, if California voted to leave the United States by 95%, I’d let them go. No reason to kill thousands of Californians just to force them to stay in the Union if they don’t want to.”
Is that you, Mr. Lincoln? :)
Are these non-negotiable demands or is Putin play Trump style art of the deal, demanding more than what he will actually accept? Ukraine should counter with NATO membership but with no non-Ukrainian NATO forces in Ukraine, and autonomy for Crimea and Donbas. If Ukraine should cede Crimea, it must be demilitarized.
I like your counter-offer!
“Pretty sure these are all non-starters.”
They should not be. Zelensky should agree. His country’s infastructure is being completely destroyed, thousands of lives are being sacrificed. People are starving and desperate. He is losing his population wholesale.
Agree now and bide your time. Putin will be either dead (illness) or out of power in a few years. Get stronger and make a move in a few years. A Pyrrhic Victory is not a Victory.
The whole world (major fuel, food, and equipment shortages) is going to suffer because he stands on a few principles?
And what does Ukraine get? Ukraine should say ok, but we get an American air base
Won't join the EU
This is what this entire struggle has been about
When Putin and Yanukyvich blocked the accession of Ukraine to the EU, which the majority of Ukrainians wanted, sparking the nationwide tumult and violence, Ukraine was no military threat to Moscow.
Putin pushed them to build up the military and turn to NATO when during the tumult he tried to grab the southeastern part of Ukraine as a Novorossiya (New Russia)
Before that, Ukraine as a poor country had a weak military
The EU is not a military bloc, it is a free trade zone (albeit with a huge smothering bureaucracy and relatively undemocratic structures) that has brought a lot of economic progress to Eastern Europe
If Poland joins the EU, that is the end of Putin's dream of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine as the Russo-Slavic center of a new empire controlled by Moscow. And if Ukrainians make economic progress like the Poles have, then in comparison with the lack of prosperity ordinary Russians have, Putin's historical legacy regarding what he did for Russia will be tarnished.
"Not joining the EU" is the thing Ukraine will most NOT accept, and unless Putin drops this demand I don't think there will be a settlement, Russia will have to continue to try to conquer Ukraine if Putin wants to achieve his dream of keeping Ukraine out of the EU
Those are good counter-offers, as well.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.